KUALA LUMPUR – Celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail is mulling legal action against those who have disparaged him on social media following his remarks about former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan that drew criticism.
In an Instagram post, the flamboyant chef, popularly known as Chef Wan, expressed dismay at netizens who called him racist when he had no such intention in his comments about Aishwarya’s dress at the recent Cannes Film festival.
“People assume the worst and use slander and inflame others to make them believe things that are not intended, this is also a sin. In fact, I feel I am the victim here.
“I have also spoken to my lawyer about my legal grounds. So we shall take it from here lah,” he said.
“If I have a history on my social media in the past of instigating racism, ‘lain la’ (then it’s a different story). But I have never. Usually it’s those who have racist attitudes who are the ones who instigate others,” he added.
Chef Wan also said police have called him about the matter as part of investigations following police reports lodged against him.
“I gave my views via WhatsApp. (Police said it is a) formality since police reports have been lodged so they have to take my statement.”
He said he reiterated his stand that he had no racist intent when he commented that Aishwarya’s dress and comments by other netizens reminded him of a peacock and Thaipusam kavadi.
Chef Wan previously explained his remarks in an earlier Instagram post, in which he also apologised to those who felt hurt by his remarks.
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.
His remarks made last week did not go down well with some, who felt that Chef Wan was mocking the Indian actress and the Hindu religion.
A Malaysian woman later lodged a police report against Chef Wan, claiming he was touching on race, religion and royalty sensitivities.
Aishwarya, 50, donned a shimmery blue-and-silver gown as she walked the red carpet 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. – June 1, 2024