Bharti Singh, the popular Indian comedian, has found herself embroiled in controversies on multiple occasions. Her jokes and comments, intended for comedic effect, have sometimes been perceived as offensive, leading to public backlash and demands for apologies.
One instance involved a video where Singh was joking about the advantages of having a beard and mustache. In the video, she said that when you drink milk and your beard gets in the way, it tastes like sewaiyan (a sweet vermicelli dish). She also joked about men having lice in their beards. This clip went viral, with many netizens, particularly from the Sikh community, criticizing Singh for disrespecting their religious symbols.
In response to the criticism, Singh clarified that her intention was not to hurt any community. She stated that she herself is a Punjabi, born in Amritsar, and would always respect her culture. She added that she was merely doing comedy with a friend and did not intend to mock any Punjabi or the practice of keeping a beard and mustache. Singh apologized to anyone whose sentiments may have been hurt by her comments.
In another instance, Bharti Singh shared a vlog where she jokingly blamed a Labubu doll belonging to her son, Golla, for the strange energy and mischief in their home. She mentioned that ever since the doll arrived, Golla had been behaving strangely, screaming, throwing things, and not listening to anyone. Her family members even called the doll "shaitaan ka roop" (a form of the devil). Singh then jokingly burned the doll, stating that God had finally won and evil had been defeated. Later, she stated that she might have overreacted and wasted her money, but she couldn't take any more chances because people said the doll looked creepy.
Bharti Singh is married to Haarsh Limbachiyaa, who is Gujarati, while Bharti herself is Punjabi. In an interview, she humorously discussed adjusting to a Gujarati family, particularly regarding their traditions. She mentioned that her father-in-law now enjoys drinks with them, even though Gujarat was traditionally a "dry state". She also joked about how she avoids fights with Haarsh by simply removing his glasses, causing him to bump into things due to his poor eyesight.
These incidents highlight the challenges faced by comedians who often walk a fine line between humor and causing offense. While Bharti Singh's intentions may not be malicious, her words have sometimes been interpreted as disrespectful, leading to public apologies and a reminder of the importance of considering the potential impact of jokes on diverse audiences.