Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Won't Be Okay To Be Called Racist Because I'm Not: Esha Gupta

Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 Feb, 2019 05:24 AM

    Having faced a backlash on the social media for making racist remarks against Nigerian footballer Alexander Iwobi, Bollywood actress Esha Gupta acknowledged her mistake in not understanding the undertone of racism. She says it will not be okay to be called a racist ever again because she is not.


    Asked if she feels wrongfully targeted, Esha told IANS in a telephonic interview: "Wrongfully accused, I was saying since the beginning. In a group chat, you are discussing 20 other things but regarding the game. Of course we are discussing the game. We are all Arsenal fans. People were like 'Oh, she is laughing', but they don't even know what I am laughing about.


    "I clearly mentioned in the chat that 'Oh! he should be benched'... People don't understand words like 'gorilla' and 'monkey' in India. We don't even know that it means anything racist... I know so many parents who call their children 'bandar lag raha hai yaar' (looking like a monkey). It does not mean that they are saying in a racist undertone."


    On January 28, social media was abuzz over a snapshot of a WhatsApp conversation that Esha shared on her Instagram stories. The conversation criticised Iwobi for his performance.


    In the conversation, Esha's friend called Iwobi a "gorilla" and said that "evolution stopped for him". He even said that the footballer did not change from "neanderthal to man". To that, Esha laughed and replied: "Haha... I don't know why they don't bench him more."


    The actress added: "I have accepted the mistake for sure that I did not understand the undertone of racism. That is my fault and I apologised. People took my apology on Twitter as half-hearted. They just don't give you time to explain..."


    Esha said she knows it is a sensitive subject for people and for them she is sorry.


    "But most of them are trollers. They just realised she is at a weak moment so, 'Let's go all out about it'. They started accusing. I don't think I would be okay to be accused of being a racist ever in my life and I am not," she added.


    Following the incident, the actress penned an apology letter to Iwobi and the Arsenal Football Club.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Total Dhamaal': Sonakshi Sinha Recreates Helen’s Iconic Song ‘Mungda’

    The 2:10 minutes song titled, ‘Mungda’ is a recreated version of Usha Mangeshkar's hit 70's song from the movie, ‘Inkaar’.

    Total Dhamaal': Sonakshi Sinha Recreates Helen’s Iconic Song ‘Mungda’

    Real Gully Boys Pin Hopes On Ranveer Singh's Rapper Avatar

    Rapper Divine, whose real name is Vivian Fernandes, began his career as an underground rapper in 2011. He has grown up rapping in the 'chawls' of Mumbai.

    Real Gully Boys Pin Hopes On Ranveer Singh's Rapper Avatar

    With Super 30 And Batla House On Her Line-Up, Mrunal Thakur Says 'Audience Should Get To See A Different Side Of Her'

    Mrunal Thakur, who started her career with television but moved on to films and web series, says it is important for an actor to avoid getting into a comfort zone.

    With Super 30 And Batla House On Her Line-Up, Mrunal Thakur Says 'Audience Should Get To See A Different Side Of Her'

    Nawazuddin Siddiqui: 'You Are Perceived A Good Actor Only If You Give A 100 Crore Hit'

    The actor, who carved a niche by featuring in off-beat films, said he doesn't care about box office validation but if an actor's talent is measured in numbers, he can play the game too.

    Nawazuddin Siddiqui: 'You Are Perceived A Good Actor Only If You Give A 100 Crore Hit'

    Esha Gupta Pens Apology Letter To Nigerian Footballer Alexander Iwobi For Racist Remarks

    Bollywood actress and Arsenal supporter Esha Gupta, who faced anger on social media for making racist remarks against Alexander Iwobi, has penned an apology letter to the Nigerian footballer

    Esha Gupta Pens Apology Letter To Nigerian Footballer Alexander Iwobi For Racist Remarks

    B-Town Celebs Wish 'Nicest' Abhishek Bachchan On Birthday

    From wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to his friends John Abraham and Genelia Deshmukh, Bollywood celebrities filled Twitter with good wishes for Abhishek Bachchan on his 43rd birthday on Tuesday.

    B-Town Celebs Wish 'Nicest' Abhishek Bachchan On Birthday