Mumbai: Actress Munmun Dutta popular for playing 'Babita Iyer' on Sab TV's show 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' has landed in a controversy over the use of a word that is termed as a casteist slur.
The actress has come out with a statement to present clarification after netizens began trending '#ArrestMunmunDutta' on Twitter.
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It all began as a video of TMKOC star Munmun Dutta went viral on social media. Addressing fans in a Vlog, she says "I have applied a lip tint as my blush because I am going to appear on Youtube and I want to look good. Bh**** ki tarah nahi dikhna chahti hun".
The word used by her carries casteist connotations and is regarded as a slur.
Even a video edit of the comment is being widely shared on social media as people demand that action be taken against Munmun Dutta.
Now in response to the criticism, she has released a statement on Twitter wherein she writes: "One word used by me has been misinterpreted. It was never said with the intent of insult, intimidate, humiliate or hurt anyone's feelings".
She has cited "language barrier" as the reason, adding that "I was genuinely misinformed about the meaning of the word". In the note, she has apologised and expressed regret over the same.
However, it looks like the apology is not being accepted by social media users including activists who are angered by her comment.
Here are some of the reactions:
Whether or not any action will be initiated against Munmun Dutta even after her apology, remains to be seen.