Om Puri livid over Tanmay Bhat's video on Lata-Sachin

By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, June 2 (IANS)Veteran actor Om Puri is livid at the spoof video of Bharat Ratnas Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar by Tanmay Bhat and wants to know why action is not being taken against the comedian.
“Why is that wretched boy walking free after what he has done? He has insulted two of the most respected and loved icons of the nation. Lataji and Sachin Tendulkar are known all over the world.
“They have fans not only in India, but in every part of the world. And they are idolised by Indians and non-Indians. You can’t do this to such heroes for a few laughs,” Om Puri said.
The brilliant actor known to support causes that he believes in, feels Lataji and Sachin’s Bharat Ratna are not the deciding factor in their iconic status.
“Even if they had not received the Bharat Ratnas, they would have still been national idols. It’s not right to make fun of them just to prove how democratic we can be.”
Om Puri feels freedom of expression is ill-understood in this country.
“Freedom of expression doesn’t mean you can dance naked on the road while the rest of the nation cheers. Ridiculing Lataji and Sachin Tendulkar is not a sign of freedom. It’s a symptom of a disease where we think pulling down achievers is funny.
“This boy must be dealt with severely so that no one will again dare to act funny with our national heroes.”