In wake of women panels condemning Vivek Oberoi's tweet on exit polls as "disrespectful" to the dignity of women, the actor said he has always been careful about respecting the opposite gender.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday sought a response from Vivek for his "misogynistic" tweet on exit polls. Earlier, the Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) had found his post disrespectful to women.
Haha! 👍 creative! No politics here....just life 🙏😃
— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 20, 2019
Credits : @pavansingh1985 pic.twitter.com/1rPbbXZU8T
"I would want to meet the Women's Commission... I have been working on women empowerment since the past 10 years, and I don't just talk about it on social media... I am very careful as far as respect for women is concerned. I personally feel that there's no disrespect (in what happened). I would meet the Women's Commission and if they explain to me what is wrong in it, I would apologise," Vivek told the media here on Monday.
Disgusting and classless. https://t.co/GUB7K6dAY8
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) May 20, 2019
The actor, who was here for the first screening of his forthcoming film "PM Narendra Modi", landed in a controversy over a meme he tweeted, virtually mixing politics and films by dragging in the personal lives of Bollywood bigwigs.
Vivek Oberoi speaks on Sonam Kapoor's reaction to his tweet (on exit polls), "...Aap apni filmon mein thoda kam overact karein aur social media pe thoda kam overreact karein. I've been working in women empowerment for 10 yrs now. I don't think this is hurting anyone's sentiments" pic.twitter.com/pOWAwO29N6
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2019
His tweet showed a set of three photos - one referring to 'opinion poll' having a picture of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, next was the 'exit poll' depicting himself with the actress and the third showing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her husband Abhishek Bachchan and their seven-year-old daughter Aaradhya.
Extremely absurd of you to tweet this!! Disappointing!
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) May 20, 2019
The meme was originally shared by someone else on Twitter, but Vivek picked it up for his own comment: "Haha! Creative! No politics here just life!"
Explaining his post, he said: "Someone sent me a meme, I laughed at it and gave a response. It doesn't have bad words, it has nothing abusive, no sensational photo... It has a beautiful family photograph of Aishwarya, Aaradhya and Abhishek together, and they are happy... May God give them lots of happiness."
Very disgraceful and in extreme bad taste of #VivekOberoi to put up such a disrespectful post. At least show the decency to pull off the post if not apologise to the lady and her little girl.
— Urmila Matondkar (@OfficialUrmila) May 20, 2019
Vivek, who was here with the film's producer Sandip Ssingh, is himself happy that "PM Narendra Modi", on the life of the Prime Minister, will finally see the light of the day on May 24.
The film, directed by Omung Kumar B, was earlier stopped by the Election Commission from releasing on April 11, the day the Lok Sabha elections began, in favour of a level playing field in the polls.
Vivek Oberoi on notices by National Commission for Women & Maharashtra State Commission for Women: I'm waiting for National Commission for Women, State Commission for Women. I'd like to meet them, I'll also like to explain myself because I don't think I have done anything wrong. pic.twitter.com/yeqRFu6B1Y
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2019
"People told me that we are making this film to showcase Modiji as a hero... My response is that Modiji is the biggest hero of this nation."
The film's screening here was organised by Global Young Action Network Foundation, and was attended by Union Minister Vijay Goel.
Vivek Oberoi on notices by National Commission for Women & Maharashtra State Commission for Women: I'm waiting for National Commission for Women, State Commission for Women. I'd like to meet them, I'll also like to explain myself because I don't think I have done anything wrong. pic.twitter.com/yeqRFu6B1Y
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2019
Vivek Oberoi: I don't know why people are making a huge issue out of it. Someone had sent me a meme which made fun of me. I laughed on it&I appreciated the person for his creativity. If someone mocks at you, you should not take it seriously. pic.twitter.com/Ak23Slw8vr
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2019
Vivek Oberoi: People are saying apologise, I have no problem in apologising, but tell me what wrong have I done? If I have done something wrong I will apologise. I don't think I have done anything wrong. What's wrong in it? Somebody tweeted a meme and I laughed at it. pic.twitter.com/d7z5362rwr
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2019