Actress Chum Darang condemns Elvish Yadav’s ‘racist’ remarks: ‘Time we draw the line’

Actress Chum Darang posted a statement on her Instagram account on Monday, denouncing YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 winner Elvish Yadav for allegedly making racist comments about Darang on a podcast.

Darang, a previous Bigg Boss 18 competitor, advised viewers to distinguish between being funny and inciting hatred. "It's not 'fun' to disregard someone's identity and name." Disrespecting someone's accomplishments is not "banter." "We need to establish a boundary between humor and hatred," she stated.

"What's even more disappointing is that this wasn't just about my ethnicity, my hard work and a film backed by a visionary like Sanjay Leela Bhansali was also disrespected," Darang wrote in response to Elvish's derogatory remarks regarding her role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2022 film Gangubai Kathiwadi. I see, I hear, and I stand with my fellow Northeasterners and all others who have experienced racism. Everyone is entitled to equality, dignity, and respect. Let's speak out against racism and advance a compassionate, understanding, and empathetic society.

Remarks that were passed during the episode

In the most recent episode of Rajat Dalal's show The Little Adda Company, Elvish Yadav made fun of Bigg Boss 18 winner Karan Veer Mehra's selection of ladies while discussing Chum Darang's part in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie. "Karan Veer ko pakka Covid tha kyuki Chum kisko pasand aati hai bhai, itna taste kiska kharab hota hai?" he declared. Ashleelta hai, naam mai hi aur chum ke toh. Who even loves Chum, bro? (Karan Veer had Covid, of course.) Naam Chum aur kaam Gangubai Kathiawadi mai kiya hai. Whose taste is so awful? Furthermore, Chum's name sounds offensive. She was employed in Gangubai Kathiawadi and went by Chum.

Following a wave of criticism, Rajat Dalal had an Instagram "Ask Me Anything" session where he clarified that the controversial remarks were taken from a prewritten script. Even Elvish Yadav, Rajat claimed, had been ordered to say those things and was not speaking for himself.

Elvish has previously faced criticism for his claimed sexist and aggressive remarks directed at prominent individuals such as Arjun Bijlani and Kusha Kapila. Police in Noida filed a formal complaint against Elvish and five other people in November 2023 after finding nine hazardous snakes, including cobras, in their possession. There have been reports of these snakes and their venom being utilized at unlawful raves.