The world of Indian entertainment has been abuzz with the latest comments from actor Rajesh Kumar, best known for his role as Roshesh Sarabhai in the popular show “Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.” Recently, he made headlines for speaking candidly about his struggles and financial woes, and now he’s back in the news for taking a swipe at veteran actress Ratna Pathak Shah. Kumar’s comments come after Shah’s controversial statement about the festival of Karva Chauth, which she termed “appalling.”
Kumar, in an interview with “Hindi Rush,” responded to Shah’s statement, saying, “She’s a well-read and liberal woman, and such women often have their opinions and question our culture.” He went on to add, “But I have a simple answer to this – if we incorporate festivals like Karva Chauth, Ramadan, and Eid, along with the study of the sun and moon’s movements, into our education system, all these questions will disappear.” Kumar’s statement highlights the importance of educating people about different festivals and cultural practices to foster understanding and acceptance.
Kumar’s Take on People’s Opinions
Kumar further emphasized that some people tend to form opinions without being well-informed about a topic. He stated, “These things have been happening for a long time, so thinking that ‘we don’t know about this, and it’s wrong’ is very bad thinking.” According to Kumar, people should be open to learning and acknowledging what they don’t know, rather than pretending to be all-knowing. “An opinion is formed when you don’t have special knowledge about a subject,” he said, stressing the importance of humility and a willingness to learn.
The Background of Ratna Pathak’s Statement
For context, Ratna Pathak Shah had sparked controversy in 2022 with her comments on Karva Chauth. In an interview with “Pinkvilla,” she expressed her concerns about the increasingly regressive nature of society. Shah said, “Our society is becoming very rigid. I feel it very strongly. We’re becoming superstitious; we’re being forced to make religion a very important part of our lives.” She also questioned the sudden emphasis on Karva Chauth, saying, “Suddenly, everyone’s talking about it – ‘Aren’t you fasting for Karva Chauth?’ Nobody ever asked me this before; it was only last year that someone asked me for the first time.”
Shah’s Take on the Festival
Shah had further criticized the festival, saying, “Is it not horrific that modern, educated women are observing Karva Chauth, praying for their husbands’ lives, just to get some validation? Being a widow in India is a terrible situation, right? So, I’ll do anything to avoid being a widow, really? We’re talking about this in the 21st century? Educated women are doing this?” Her comments had sparked a lot of debate and trolling on social media, with many criticizing her for her views on the festival. The matter has reignited with Kumar’s recent comments, adding another layer to the discussion on cultural practices and their significance in modern times.