Snehashish roy
Comedian and television personality Bharti Singh has come under fire after a recent episode of Laughter Chef Season 3, where her comments directed at actor Ayesha Khan were widely perceived as body-shaming. The incident sparked heated discussion across social media platforms, with fans and viewers criticising the comedian for crossing a line under the guise of humour.
In the episode that aired earlier this week, Bharti Singh made a comparison between Ayesha Khan and fellow comedian Krushna Abhishek, joking about their physical resemblance in a tone many found derogatory. The remark was met with laughter from some contestants and judges on set, but viewers watching the show felt it perpetuated insensitive stereotypes about body image and appearance. Within hours of the episode’s broadcast, clips from the segment went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
Fans expressed disappointment over the tone of the joke, pointing out that Bharti Singh, herself often a target of body-shaming earlier in her career, should have been more empathetic. Many argued that comedians have a responsibility to ensure their humour does not humiliate or demean others, particularly on national television. One social media user wrote, “Bharti should know better. She has faced this herself for years. Making someone else the butt of the same kind of joke is just disappointing.” Others called for the show’s producers to edit such segments out in the future.
Ayesha Khan, who rose to fame through her appearance on Bigg Boss 17, did not issue a public statement regarding the incident but appeared visibly uncomfortable during the exchange, according to viewers who watched the episode closely. The awkward moment, replayed multiple times on social media, reignited debate over where entertainment ends and mockery begins in reality-based comedy shows.
Bharti Singh has not yet responded to the criticism. However, industry insiders have pointed out that this is not the first time she or other comedians have been accused of overstepping boundaries. The line between spontaneous banter and offensive humour has often been blurred on television, where jokes about physical attributes, accents or appearances have been played for laughs, even as public sensitivity toward such content continues to grow.
The controversy also drew attention to the show’s format itself. Laughter Chef, which blends comedy with a cooking competition, often features light-hearted teasing among participants. However, critics argue that the current season’s humour has leaned increasingly on personal remarks rather than situational comedy. This trend, they say, risks alienating audiences who are now more vocal about respecting individual dignity and representation.
Despite the backlash, Laughter Chef remains one of the most-watched entertainment shows on Indian television, featuring a cast of comedians and celebrities. Yet, this incident has reignited calls for content creators to rethink what qualifies as acceptable humour in an era where audiences are more aware and critical of the language and tone used in public entertainment.
As the conversation unfolds online, the Bharti Singh episode serves as a reminder that comedy, while meant to entertain, carries weight and consequence, especially when it targets individuals on visible public platforms. In a cultural moment increasingly conscious of inclusivity, humour that comes at someone’s expense may no longer be dismissed as “just a joke.”