`Bigg Boss 5` offends Marathi Manoos Raj Thackeray

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thakeray is mighty peeved with the use of a Maharashtrian surname on reality show `Bigg Boss 5`.

Inmates Shakti Kapoor and Siddharth Bhardwaj had nicknamed their fellow contestant Amar Upadhyay as `PK Lele`, which happens to be a Marathi surname.

Calling it a derogatory use of a Maharashtrian surname, Thackeray sought an apology from Kapoor and Bhardwaj.

Speaking to reporters, Raj said, “Kapoor and Bhardwaj should apologise to the Marathi-speaking population for the insult. Just because Lele is a Maharashtrian surname, does it mean all servants are Maharashtrians?”

“They (Kapoor and Bhardwaj) should apologise for the same within 24 hours or they will have to face the consequences,” he added.

Amar Upadhyay was unable to complete the task `Bigg Boss` had given him to do. Kapoor and Bhardwaj made a mock at his inability to complete the task and named him `PK Lele` that has a double meaning.

Amar Upadhyay’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar said, “Obviously, when Shaktiji and Siddharth named Amar ‘PK Lele’, their intentions were to poke fun at him, especially as the name also has a double meaning.”

“However, with due respect to Maharashtrians, the name was given in jest and as part of a `Bigg Boss` task given to Shaktiji and Siddharth. Though they are targeting a helpless Amar, it’s a game and Amar has taken it sportingly,” Dale added, evading the controversy about the ‘insult’ and ‘apology’.