KUALA LUMPUR – The country’s popular celebrity chef, Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, is now under fire for his remarks on former Miss World and renowned international actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for likening her to a “kavadi.”
In a post on the Namaste Bollywood Instagram page that posted a reel of the actress posing on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival recently, Chef Wan jokingly described that the actress was “carrying Kavadi on herself, heading to the Batu Cave Taipusam ceremony.”
In Hinduism, kavadi is one of the offerings presented to Lord Muruga by his devotees after their prayers and vows are fulfilled as a way of saying thanks.
Kavadi in Tamil means “carrying on the shoulder.”
In her second appearance at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya wore a gown by designer duo Falguni Shane Peacock.
Aishwarya, 50, donned a shimmery blue-and-silver gown as she walked the red carpet on Friday for the screening of acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest feature, Kinds of Kindness, starring two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone.
The gown featured a sweeping train and striking, dramatic shoulders adorned with a metallic fringe.
The 65-year-old chef’s comments drew criticism from netizens, who accused him of being racist.
“You know what’s the funniest part of your comment? You’re commenting on one of the most beautiful women in the world. At your age, be modest instead of mocking others,” Instagram user @bavindhdhaivendiron said.
Another user, @brrianjohn, said: “Seriously, I did not expect this from you, Datuk. Batu Caves is in Malaysia. We are Malaysians, and you have put us down.”
“With all due respect, Datuk, I don’t think this is very nice to say. I understand you may not comprehend what she is wearing, sir, but please don’t relate it to a religious event and mock it. Did not expect this from you,” Sreeganeshnair said.
Chef Wan’s post still remains on the Instagram page and has yet to be removed at the time of writing. – May 24, 2024