Ex-AIB stand-up comic Utsav Chakraborty accused of sexual harassment by women on Twitter. AIB accepts they were well aware of Utsav’s behaviour.
Stand-up comedian Utsav Chakraborty who has also featured in several of comedy group AIB’s videos has been accused of sexual harassment by several women who turned to social media to share their experiences. These allegations surfaced in a Twitter thread where the appalling behaviour of a large group of Indian men on a cruise in Australia was being discussed.
In the Twitter thread several women accused Utsav of sending unsolicited pictures of his genitals to women and to young girls and asking for same in return. As soon as this news started circulating, comedy group AIB whose videos Utsav has been a part of have been de-listed from their YouTube channel. In fact, AIB even issued a statement saying:
“We are also aware that by extending safe working spaces and a collaborative environment to people like Utsav, we have contributed towards a toxic environment that can be scary and unsafe for women.”
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Statement pic.twitter.com/eLpthXifwf
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) October 4, 2018
This is not all, further, in another statement AIB revealed their side of the story. As per several rumours, members of AIB were well aware of Utsav’s behaviour and cases of sexual harassment but still chose to work with him. Shedding light on that the statement revealed that a woman came forward and narrated her experience to comedian Tanmay Bhat but chose not to act against Utsav. And out of respect nobody from the AIB team was told about the incident.
The statement clearly says that AIB continued working with Utsav as he was a freelancer despite knowing his actions and for that the comedy group has apologized.
A statement ; We're sorry pic.twitter.com/Lpa9HKyORb
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) October 5, 2018
By harassment, we meant that Utsav called up the person, cried, apologised, putting her in an uncomfortable position. Again, to clarify: this incident was only about the unsolicited picture in question. None of the other allegations were known to us.
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) October 5, 2018
As the thread of women sharing their experiences went viral, comedian Abhishek Upmanyu and Twitter’s Trendulkar a.k.a Apoorv Sood also shared their views on the comedian.
In a series of tweets, comedian Abhishek Upmanyu stated that what everyone is saying is true. He even shared screenshots of his conversation with Utsav. Abhishek ended his twitter rant by stating that Utsav has brought shame to the entire industry.
Everything is true. And also that a lot of people knew and still worked with him. In 2014 he was in Delhi and was with me in a comedy collective called Jabdatod Murgey along with @dennymades @madhvens @MautKaPashinda . We had a Facebook group on which discussed jokes. https://t.co/ReIRTdf3QB
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
When I moved to Mumbai in 2015, one day Kamra told me that her friend Mahima got a dick pic from Utsav. I was shocked. Honestly, Coz he used to come across as very woke and why you shouldn’t send a dick pic is too easy to understand- Decency which I thought he had.
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
I called him out on the group immediately. This is July 2016. I said I won’t tell anyone yet. He called me immediately and said that she<insert victim blaming monologue of 15 mins with occasional yelling>. We kicked him out of the group and also distanced ourselves from him. pic.twitter.com/6dENRyz3CR
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
Then he also moved to Mumbai and I found out from other comedian that he has still not stopped being creepy. He would say disgusting stuff about female comedians in the circuit like “yeh nayi comedian hai aur unfunny hai par fir bhi spot mil raha hai hmmm” things like these.
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
I was managing a venue called “The Habitat” where I was incharge of curating the lineup of comedians. He was banned from performing there. I told him several times that he’s a creep and should stay away from me, but he kept defending himself. Never accepted his fault. Never. Once
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
A lot of people knew about and he still kept getting work. A lot of work and money. Work and money other non-harassers could have done. No one cared. Coz “it’s Utsav ya” or “but he’s VERY funny”. He just kept getting away with it. More power to you Mahima for calling him out.
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
He has brought shame to the entire industry. This is one of the most privileged jobs in the country to the point that HE gets to exploit feminism and earn money from it, while sending dic pics. Humari industry ke woke log dic bhejte hain toh Bakio ka pata ni kya haal hoga.
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
Face behind twitter’s Trendulkar account Apoorv Sood shared that Utsav privately messaged his girlfriend asking for ‘perverted relationship advice’.
This asshole, in 2015, DM'd my then girlfriend with a lot of creepy stuff seeking perverted relationship advice. I hope he knew I was the one reading his messages too. Fuck off.
cc: @AGirlOfHerWords https://t.co/UelKUmiFZq— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) October 4, 2018
Amidst everyone who is busy pointing out Utsav Chakraborty’s obvious faults, the comedian has decided to bare his heart on Twitter.
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Through a series of tweet, Utsav stated that he is sorry and emphasised on the fact that he never asked an underage young girl for nude pictures.
It's a little too late now but I am sorry. I really am. The past 24 hours were a crucible. I faced a very scary personal truth. I can't think of myself as a victim anymore. Please tell me what to do now. How to make things right? I don't want anyone to be hurt anymore.
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) October 5, 2018
Okay since everyone is out to get me in this whole narrative, let me repeat: I'VE NEVER ASKED AN UNDERAGE PERSON FOR NUDES. IF IT CAN BE PROVED IN *ANY WAY*, I'M READY TO TAKE THE DUE COURSE OF THE LAW. HOLY SHIT.
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) October 5, 2018
Within 24 hrs of the allegations were made, several comedian personalities tweeted about Utsav. Kaneez Surkha, Varun Grover, Aditi Mittal all called out against the disgraced comedian.
What the actual fuck @Wootsaw? What makes people think you will get away with this behaviour? But more importantly why do you people continue to behave this way? https://t.co/9KmF1nWvMP
— Kaneez Surka (@kaneezsurka) October 4, 2018
Shameful, creepy, ugly behavior by a fellow comic (Utsav/@Wootsaw). More stories coming out, all because @AGirlOfHerWords decided to speak out. Indian Comedy, like every other industry, needs a #TimesUp. https://t.co/WpVGdQlvkZ
— वरुण (@varungrover) October 4, 2018
What’s up with this Utsav? Your behaviour has been consistently misogynist for a while and you keep pretending to be woke like your boyfriends at AIB who keep you employed as well. Women don’t feel safe around you. What are you doing about this?
— Aditi (hot takes 4 koolkidz) (@awryaditi) October 4, 2018
