MUMBAI MIRROR (February 11, 2015)

Aamir Khan is the latest voice to join the ongoing debate surrounding the All India Bakchod Roast which saw the collective's comedians take down Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Karan Johar, even as the trio laughed along.

Reactions to the event have been polarised and Khan has joined the list of detractors. At an event on Monday, the actor admitted that though he hasn't seen the video, he heard about it and saw a couple of clips. "After the Roast, I happened to be at a place where Karan and Arjun were also present. They told us about how they did this Roast and all the dialogues that were exchanged at the event... I was deeply affected by that and disappointed in what I was hearing," the actor revealed.

He added that though he's all for freedom of speech, he believed that the freedom comes with a lot of responsibility. "There was a lot of violence in that event. Violence is not only physical, it's also verbal and emotional," said the actor. It may be recalled that Khan produced the 2011 comic-caper Delhi Belly and at that time he was quoted as saying "Don't watch Delhi Belly if you can't stand abuses."

He even opted for an A certificate as he didn't think it was a film meant for children. More recently he reprimanded his friends for participating in the Roast replete with expletives and adult jokes.

"I scolded both Karan and Arjun and told them that I didn't find it funny at all. You can't give 25 gaalis and think that people will like it. I am not a14-year-old that I will be impressed by gaalis," he asserted. "When you insult someone, you are perpetuating violence and projecting it to the world. I don't like that. But I am sure that a lot of young people did like it."

He was quick to add that this was only his "personal opinion". "If you can make me laugh without offending anyone, I think I'd really enjoy that," he signed off. 
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MID-DAY (February 11, 2015)

With controversy over the AIB Knockout Roast refusing to die down any time soon, Bollywood star Aamir Khan has voiced his opinion about the profanity-riddled videos during a media interaction.

He has labelled the roast of Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh as “extremely violent and disturbing”. He said though he hasn’t watched the show, he came to know of it through Karan Johar, who was the host, and Arjun Kapoor as they described to him about what had transpired — with the aid of a few dialogues. “I have only seen a couple of clips of the roast… On hearing what they (Karan and Arjun) had to share, I must say that I was deeply affected and disappointed with it.” Mr Perfectionist however clarified that he was not against freedom of speech. “I am completely for it. I have no issues with that. But we have to understand that we all have a certain responsibility,” he added.

Aamir further called it a “very violent event”. “Violence is not just physical, but also verbal and emotional. So when you insult someone and show it to the world, it is like showing everyone see how violent I can be, this is something that I don’t like. But I am sure that there are a lot of young people who have liked the show and I believe that all of us have different opinions and we are allowed to have it. Karan and Arjun being my friends, I told them that I didn’t like it. Besides, trying to impress people by using abusive language is pointless. I am no longer a 14-year-old who will hear abusive language and laugh. If you really want me to laugh then do so without hurting anyone. That is what I will enjoy.”

Aamir steered clear of the legal complications and technicalities but said one has to face the consequences of breaking the law. “I don’t know if what they have done is legally correct or not. FIRs can be lodged, but they have to be proved also. If they have broken the law, they should face the consequences. If they haven’t, they should go scot free. That the court will decide.”

About the public shaming of AIB, he said: “I can tell them I got very disturbed by what you did, more so, because you did it in public. And that’s the extent I can interfere in someone’s life. Who am I to decide how anyone is going to conduct themselves?”

The star is of the opinion that there should be an age lock for such shows. Citing the example of his A- rated Delhi Belly, he said he had voluntarily applied for an adult certificate. “I went out of my way during promotions to tell everyone that it is an adult film, and not to watch it if that’s not your scene. As a creative person, do I have the liberty to express? Yes! But I also have a responsibility,” he stated.