Mumbai police has asked Facebook and YouTube to block comedian Tanmay Bhat's video of a mock conversation with Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar that has sparked a massive outrage with the Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS today demanding action against him and AIB.
Bollywood has also reacted sharply to the comedian's portrayal of the music and cricket icons with many actors slamming the video made by a member of online comedy group AIB, saying it is in poor taste.
Titled "Sachin v/s Lata Civil War", Tanmay, in a video posted on Facebook on May 26, took jibes at the 86-year-old melody queen and the 43-year-old cricketing legend.
DCP (Operations) Sangramsingh Nishandar said a complaint has been given by MNS at Shivaji Park police station with regard to the issue, but the police have not registered any FIR so far.
He said the police have taken a transcript of the video and they would now seek legal opinion from experts before taking further action.
In this regard, police have written to Facebook and YouTube requesting them to block the video and its link, he said.
The DCP said inquiry on the issue is being conducted by the special branch of the city police.
The inquiry was initiated after Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar complained about the issue to city Police Chief Datta Padsalgikar.
Film wing of Raj Thackeray-led MNS, Chitrapat Sena, has also urged the police to block the video and its link online. The MNS also threatened to beat him up.
Its president Ameya Khopkar, who went to the cyber cell of Mumbai police to lodge the complaint, said "The MNS will not allow Tanmay Bhat to conduct shows in the city, and police should arrest him as quickly as possible."
Taking strong exception to the video, the Shiv Sena asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stringent action against AIB and Bhat for allegedly seeking to vitiate social harmony by mocking the national legends.
Sena leader Neelam Gorhe wrote to Fadnavis seeking action against those behind the video which she said was made by people with "deranged mentality".
"Such people try to misuse the popularity of icons like Sachin and Lata tai for their own publicity," said Gorhe.
"I have also written to Mumbai Police Commissioner seeking action against Tanmay Bhat and AIB," she said.
Shelar said he has spoken to the Police Commissioner and sought action against Bhat and AIB.
