I am sure all must have heard about the proverb ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ However, in today’s hectic and stressful life, there is a need for people to laugh more and more often. There are many laughter clubs present in the city for this purpose. While it is a great opportunity for people to socialize and indulge in humourous talks, the laughter what we get to hear from these clubs are very often forced ones. Humour in a person is a very positive and healthy trait. However, it remains healthy as far as it does not involve ridiculing other people, the nation or any religion or community at large. In this context, one can take the example of AIB.
Surely what can be wrong when members of the film fraternity make fun of each other? It surely made the audience roll with laughter and was very popular in you tube generating a lot of viewership. Also, people paid a lump sum amount to watch the show by being present at the venue. Alas! Its glory was short-lived. Soon criticism started pouring in from all corners. A complaint was registered against many of the actors. However, I cannot understand the reason for so much hue and cry over the show. The concept was western, as more of the TV shows are but surely it entertained many. Also AIB had put up a disclaimer showing the show was meant for adults only. So, why the complaint?
When it comes to humour, we have a lot to learn from the West. People there don’t take offence just because a joke has been cracked on them. Why no one takes offence on the vulgarity projected in Hollywood flicks? I watched “ The Wolf of the Wall Street” last year in which a certain vulgar word was used more than five hundred times. Yet the Indian audience thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Whenever there are any explicit scenes in any “not so vulgar” Indian movies, the Indian audience whistles and hoots and enjoys such scenes. But the same people leave no stone unturned to criticize a show which has “offensive” words and gestures. Many actors came forward expressing their views. Aamir Khan criticised the show saying that along with the right to freedom of expression, we have certain responsibilities too. He further said that he was not a fourteen year old boy to take pleasure viewing such shows. However, I would like to point out to him that there were many of all age groups who seriously enjoyed the show.
What is wrong if a show entertains us with sheer display of humour? Why can’t we take criticism lightly and in good spirits? Why can’t we view such shows as a means to lighten our stress and our spirits? After all, this show provided us a reason to laugh our hearts out which is healthy.
