Bollywood starlet Kajol caused a furore lately after refusing to utter a word in Hindi during a media interaction in Mumbai. The situation arose when a paparazzo requested Kajol to speak something in Hindi, as she was answering the media in Marathi. The actress seemed visibly irritated and snapped, saying, “Should I say it in Hindi now? Whoever wants to understand, will understand!”
The video of the exchange was soon shared widely on social media, and a flood of criticism was unleashed. The netizens were left disappointed by her statements, blaming her for showing disrespect to the Hindi language when she herself is employed in the Hindi film industry. A user wrote, “If she feels embarrassed to say Hindi, then she must quit working in Hindi films.” Another posted, “Why work in Bollywood if you do not respect the language? Work in Marathi films instead.”
Language Tensions in Maharashtra Add Fuel to Fire
Kajol’s comment has come amidst increased tension in language politics in Maharashtra. The state government had earlier this year tried to include Hindi as a compulsory third language in schools—a step subsequently withdrawn following public outcry. The controversy snowballed following incidents in Mumbai and Pune where people were reported to have been confronted by MNS workers for not using Marathi.
Celebrities React to Language Debate
Actor Renuka Shahane had earlier talked about the language war, urging people to be respectful of local cultures. “If you are staying in a location for a long period of time, it’s nice to know the local language and culture. It’s about respect, not about being fluent,” she explained. Shahane also condemned people who do not make an effort, terming it as disrespect for the locals.
As the linguistic identity debate rages on, Kajol’s remarks have fueled debates regarding the use of language in Indian society and cinema.
