Bhumi Pednekar received a lot of flak after she schooled protesters during the CJP-led protest in Delhi for using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, comedian Daniel Fernandes also took a dig at the actor over her comments and questioned her take on relating the protesters' language to culture.
During his stand-up show, Daniel said, " Bhumi Pednekar woke up one morning and decided to be relevant again. So, she posted a video where she is like, 'Hey guys, it is okay to protest and all that, but what is this language? This bad, abusive language is not part of our culture. Not part of our culture? What are you, French? Remembering mothers and sisters is a national pastime. This is what society does: every time they do not like something that you say or do, they will try to shame you by saying that this is not part of our culture and culture is spelled as 'CONTROL'. I don't understand what is up with this a** kissing."
The comedian also brought up TV actor Sudesh Berry's recent comment in an interview, during which he said he wanted to wash the Prime Minister's feet and drink that water. "He has not understood Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," the comedian said in a swipe at him.
Earlier, Bhumi had criticised protesters for using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her remarks led many to question why the actor had not supported the student-led CJP protest in Delhi, which had demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities, but had instead decided to school protesters about their behaviour.
Bhumi had said in the clip, "Looking at the videos surfacing now, the kind of language being used, and the way the youth of our country are speaking — the youth of our country... this isn't how we talk, man. We are talking about someone who holds the highest office in the land today. And it’s not just about the office; would we ever speak like this to the elders in our own homes? Can we really resort to using abusive language?”
She added, "Guys, this isn't our culture; it’s wrong, and this really bothered me — that’s why I wanted to come forward and address this: a country will only progress and move forward when, collectively and unitedly, we discuss our flaws as well as the good things. Our culture and value system form our backbone; we shouldn't stray from them, otherwise, we won't be able to communicate the right things in the right way, and they will never be implemented or lead to change."
Bhumi was last seen in the web show Daldal, which received underwhelming reviews from critics and audiences alike. She also starred in the 2025 film Mere Husband Ki Biwi, which left theatres without making much of a mark.
Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.Read More
