Kusha Kapila, a prominent face in the entertainment industry, is voicing her discontent after a recent appearance on the roast show hosted by comedian Ashish Solanki. Known for her quick wit and engaging social media presence, Kapila's participation in the "Pretty Good Roast Show" became a hot topic, particularly due to some unkind jokes aimed at her personal life, especially concerning her divorce from Zorawar Singh Ahluwalia.
The roast, which aired on YouTube earlier this month, included a panel of comedians who made several derogatory jokes regarding Kusha's recent life changes. The most notable comments came from comedian Samay Raina, who, during his set, referred to Kusha as a "gold digger" and made offensive remarks about her sexual life, which were later censored due to their graphic nature.
Kusha, who has solidified her role as an actress and influencer through various films and social media content, took to her YouTube community to address the situation. She described the experience as a "rookie mistake," admitting that she was taken aback by the harshness of the jokes. "Jokes weren't shared beforehand, and I had no idea what was in store for me," she expressed, highlighting how this lack of prior knowledge led to her discomfort during the filming.
Reflecting on the rising concerns from her fans, particularly among female and queer followers who questioned her attendance at the roast, Kapila clarified that the event was intended as an unpaid collaboration among friends. "This was done in good faith, and nobody was paid. The argument that people are 'being paid big fat cheques to hear their insults' is baseless," she stated. However, she recognized that the severity of the jokes crossed a boundary that she found unacceptable.
Pushed to the wall, Kapila expressed her feelings candidly, stating, "I absolutely was not okay for it to play for millions of people since some jokes straight-up dehumanized me. It was shockingly unkind.” This statement resonated with many of her supporters who echoed sentiments of empathy toward her experience. The roast was her third of this kind, and she assured followers that it would likely be her last unless significant changes were made regarding the script and the nature of the jokes being told.
In the aftermath, Kusha faced a wave of backlash, not only from the public but also from segments of the male audience who believed she deserved the jokes as a divorced woman. "I have been told that I deserve these jokes simply because I'm divorced. Maybe I should have expected this, but I chose peace over being villainized further,” she pointed out. The handling of sensitive topics such as divorce highlighted the persistent issue of societal attitudes towards women in similar situations, making her statement all the more poignant.
Through her remarks, Kapila sought to empower other women in the industry, advocating for clearer boundaries and stricter guidelines on what is acceptable in comedic settings. She stressed, "All of those boundaries are valid and should be respected.”
As she reflects on her experience, Kusha seems determined to not let this episode define her career. With an upcoming role in the anticipated film "Life Hill Gayi" set to release on Disney+ Hotstar in August, she aims to focus on her creative endeavors and continue to champion the narratives of women and marginalized groups within her platform. Kusha’s commitment to sharing her thoughts candidly exemplifies the ongoing need for sensitivity and respect in comedy, especially when it intersects with personal experiences.
Although she commended some aspects of the roast, expressing her enjoyment up until the crossing of the line, Kusha concluded her statement with a sense of empowerment and a call for understanding: "I may have sat for the roast, but I don't stand for everything that has come out of it." Her story serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of compassion in humor, leaving audiences to reflect on their own boundaries and perceptions.
