Popular Indian comedian and Bollywood actor Kapil Sharma is facing flak for his involvement in a promotional event of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai on Wednesday, February 21.
The 36-year-old interacted with the likes of West Indies all-rounder and Zalmi captain Darren Sammy and Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez during a light-hearted session, a day before the opening ceremony of the third season of PSL, which will be played between February 22 and March 25.
Sharma even exchanged banters with members of the franchise, who will be defending their title in the ongoing season. The celebrated comedian, known for his record-breaking show -- Comedy Nights With Kapil -- even passed a light-hearted comment on Akmal and his brothers and international cricketers, Umar and Adnan.
"You are three brothers; [with] one cousin playing top-level cricket -- and you all have kids -- it means Pakistan doesn't need any other family in cricket," Sharma told Kamran, as quoted by Geo.tv.
Zalmi's chairman Javed Afridi also called Sharma "the best comedian" in the region and said his performance helped the players relax ahead of the commencement of the league. However, the defending champions lost the season opener to newbies Multan Sultans by seven wickets on Thursday, February 22.
The King of Comedy @KapilSharmaK9 pictured with Peshawar Zalmi's skipper @darensammy88 and chairman @JAfridi10 during #ZalmiNightWithKapil in Dubai earlier tonight. #YellowStorm #HumZalmi #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/0CRqbzB60j
— PeshawarZalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) February 21, 2018
Sharma's involvement with the PSL franchise though has not gone down well with right-wing regional political parties Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The former even acused the comedian of making a "mockery of India's honour".
"Kapil Sharma is making a mockery of India's honour. He just wants to earn money and doesn't care about the country. We strongly condemn Sharma for performing during PSL," Sena said, as quoted by India.com.
Meanwhile, MNS spokeperson Amay Khopkar even conceded he is no more a fan of Sharma, who is reportedly returning to television in March 2018.
""He (Kapil) should be ashamed of himself. Pakistani cricketers are banned in IPL but he went there to perform. I used to be his fan but after this episode won't watch any of his show and also urge people to do the same," Khopkar said, according to the report.
Also, Indian fans on social media were upset with Sharma's performance in Dubai as they pointed out the escalating cross-border tension between the two Asian neighbours. Notably, Bollywood has been apprehensive about casting Pakistani actors and artists in Indian films as various right-wing groups have vehemently protested such moves in the past.
IBTimes India has compiled a list of reactions to Sharm's performance in Dubai. Check them out here.
While India has been fighting Terroristan Pakistan's regular terror attacks on India as well as loss of precious lives of Indian Soldiers, Kapil Sharma SHAMELESSLY promotes Pakistan Super League Peshawar Zalmi team #KapilSharma#BoycottKapilSharma pic.twitter.com/95YKgEkjMH
— Rosy (@rose_k01) February 22, 2018
Kapil Sharma lost his mind when he could not control his success and put an absurd tweet in the wee hrs of the night. Now just to grab some attention he is promoting Pakistan league. Shameless. @SuPriyoBabul @KapilSharmaK9
— Rakesh Kumar (@RakeshK35201130) February 23, 2018
Kapil Sharma is either financially broke or mentally ill. I don’t see any reason why he would promote a Pakistani shitshow at a point when continuous ceasefire violations are being done.#BanPakArtists #KapilSharmaPakJa
— Vivek Tiwari (@realVivekTiwari) February 22, 2018
It's time to unfollow Kapil Sharma. #BanPakArtists
— Shubham Kumar Hota (@IamShubhamHota) February 23, 2018
Not everyone was offended by Sharma's stint with the PSL franchise!
Loved how #SanjayKapoor & #KapilSharma came out to support #PSL2018 ! #Cricket brings countries closer & beyond warfare. Even #Israel & #Palestine used it as a tool of soft diplomacy to try melting ice.
— Mona Alam (@MonaAlamm) February 22, 2018
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since a three-match ODI series in 2013 but have been meeting in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments. Also, Pakistan players have not been part of Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.
