Ali Asgar's reaction to Mukesh Khanna's comment on male actors dressing as women

Mukesh Khanna, famous for his role as Shaktimaan, criticized male actors dressing as women on television during a discussion on his YouTube channel. During a discussion on his chat show, he engaged with Ali Asgar, famed for his role as 'Dadi' on The Kapil Sharma Show. Khanna labelled Asgar's portrayal as "fuhad" (awkward), prompting Asgar to defend the show's creators and explain the reasoning behind his casting as the grandmother.

On August 3, 2024, taking to his X official, Mukesh expressed his dislike for men dressing as women for dancing or theatrical performances. By sharing the link of their chat, Khanna wrote, "Mujhe pasand naheen ki mard auraton ke kapde pahan kar naache ya nautanki kare. Par ek show hai jiska naam  naheen loonga usme comedy ke naam par yahi dhadhale se hota hai.

Par mere show ke madhyam se is par kaafi prakash pada. Kaafi jankari mili.  Prakashit karne wale talented actor Ali asgar ji, jinhone bachav kiya is Situations ka. Bahas chali. Aap bhi janiyee kya bole wo apne dada ki jagah dadi banne par." 

Along with a video of his discussion with Ali Asgar, Khanna noted how Asgar defended his role as a woman on Kapil's show.

In the interview, Mukesh asked why Ali was cast as 'Dadi' and not 'Dada' in the show. He further questioned Asgar’s perspective, asking whether this issue is noteworthy or if he is overreacting. Responding to the cquestion, Asgar expressed, "That is your way. So I can’t say anything. People always ask why they make a boy into a girl. The reason for it, from my understanding, is that nobody’s dadi (grandmother) will be like me. She wouldn’t be that energetic."

Asgar highlighted the demanding shooting schedules of the show, explaining that shoots would frequently extend late into the night after filming two episodes during the day. The relentless need for new gags and sponsor integrations made the schedule even more gruelling. He noted that casting an elderly actress for the role of Dadi would have been impractical due to the late hours required, given their age.

Khanna countered by pointing out that leading actresses also work late hours. In response, Asgar elaborated that when a man portrays a woman, the character is not meant to be a true-to-life representation, allowing for greater creative freedom and humour. He emphasized that since the character is a fictional, exaggerated version, it should not cause offense.

Reflecting on his time with the show, Asgar praised Kapil Sharma for his exceptional comedic timing and understanding of the audience. He described the show's premise as revolving around a glamorous yet humble family, featuring characters like Dadi, two sisters, Gutthi (played by Sunil Grover), a servant, and a wife. Despite their modest means, the family portrayed themselves as underdogs, often humorously mocking themselves before others.

Asgar commended Kapil for his uncanny ability to predict which jokes would resonate with the audience, noting that his insights during live shows were consistently accurate. He attributed much of the show's success to Kapil's innate comedic talent and deep understanding of audience preferences.

Ali Asgar's defence of his characters underscores the creative liberties taken in comedy to entertain audiences, reminding viewers that the intent is to amuse rather than offend. His reflections on the challenging yet rewarding experience highlight the dedication and skill involved in bringing such beloved characters to life.