Former AIB comedian apologises after sexual harassment allegations; group pulls down videos
A woman's tweet about Utsav Chakraborty opened a floodgate of similar accusations against the writer-YouTuber.
It said it has been following the allegations against Utsav Chakraborty on social media and these describe a pattern of behaviour that is unacceptable .
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. And so we are sorry for any part we may have played in the tolerance or furthering of such behaviour, AIB said in a statement posted on Twitter.
Statement https://t.co/eLpthXifwf
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) 1538649890000If these allegations result in any investigation, the team at AIB would be willing to cooperate and extend full support to it. Also, pending the result of any such investigation, we are immediately delisting every single video on our channels that feature Utsav, it said.
The group said Utsav never worked as a head writer and is no longer a part of the organisation.
Also, a ton of rumours and allegations flying around suggesting Utsav is / was AIB’s Head Writer. Utsav was never o… https://t.co/G5GFMjxwlO
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) 1538653514000A woman came forward with a story about the person sending his unsolicited nude pictures, opening a floodgate of similar accusations against the writer-YouTuber.
Prominent stand-up comedians such as Varun Grover, Aditi Mittal and Kaneez Surka have called out the person.
Utsav has apologised for his behaviour in a series of tweets and said he has no excuse for it.
To be honest, from all accounts, I've been a piece of s**t. And I will try to do everything I can work past that. There was no excuse. I know inconsiderate and entitled. Even in this narrative, when this whole thing started, I kept looking at myself as the victim, he wrote.
Statement 1/n https://t.co/sIouz4UsaR
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538654563000To be honest, from all accounts, I've been a piece of shit. And I will try to do everything I can work past that. T… https://t.co/BtETgQl5Yr
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664854000I would think that the world has shortchanged me. But my intentions were not to do that, I would think. I was just… https://t.co/KtarpVIdtX
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664855000I tried to talk to Mahima (@agirlofherwords) & sort it out way back in 2016. She would have none of it and why woul… https://t.co/RAxLnjtbGJ
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664857000And yes I did grovel. Tell her my career would be over before it began. That I have medical issues that I have to d… https://t.co/RIwiPm7FoM
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664858000But again, that's what every supervillain says to justify their villainry. That oh, look at my tragic back story. L… https://t.co/S3Plbsb382
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664859000To me, getting nudes from a person was an instant rush. I was not in pain for that brief moment. Someone trusted me… https://t.co/ZYVelHgO4y
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664860000In my head it was just plain sexting. Because I had made up this egalitarian society where women constantly don't g… https://t.co/U05o1NYv5J
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664861000How can I be a misogynist when I call it out constantly? Even if I was entitled I would think that life has been un… https://t.co/vlSzMsMDNc
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664862000I could say I was not in control and doing it to chase a kick but IT DOESN'T ABSOLVE ME. I know that. But I was ang… https://t.co/1VLghxUVAr
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664863000And now some more context. This account you see right now was called @satanbhagat when it started. It was a Chetan… https://t.co/VCXFUSdezf
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664864000The whole objective of the account was to trash whatever I thought was status quo. So that meant Bollywood, the rul… https://t.co/zzjH6IDjSS
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664865000Not realising that they were human beings with thoughts and feelings. Human beings who would nurse a grudge for an… https://t.co/UXxTjsRxYg
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664866000I have deleted my old tweets since but people who were there in the beginning of this site can probably vouch. I wa… https://t.co/ryoayPKbvU
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664867000And as for asking for nudes from underaged people, I cannot and will not ever do that. The person in question can p… https://t.co/7rLoZoaBgH
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664869000And Snapchat was the worst thing to happen to me in this stage in my life. Some nice people did send me nudes there… https://t.co/Gm5le2JUlx
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664870000And adding to my acute attention deficit mind was also the temporary nature of messaging in Snapchat. I would flirt… https://t.co/CG3eokMdx5
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664871000And that is where the lines of consent & information blurred. I was in too deep and too proud to admit that I was c… https://t.co/853TpMkrZg
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664871000There were instances where I would have a long and intimate conversation with one person and then continue the same… https://t.co/PMl2jLWQw9
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538664872000Anyone who knows me in person knows that I'm not fully 'there' as a person. I forget things. Important things. I ke… https://t.co/DGppgMOycC
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538666215000I don't know how to deal with this but I'm confused and scared. And I've always been uncertain about my future but… https://t.co/8Ep4N8mT54
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538666216000As for 'sending' unsolicited pictures of *my* genitals, I don't think I've ever done that. I would only send if tha… https://t.co/psnGq0nJZM
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538666217000Again it doesn't absolve me of my constant terrible judgement. But there is more to what is being said. And this al… https://t.co/HqeVitMPqh
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538666219000But now I know I have been the exact monster I've been trying to fight all my life. And I would like to do everythi… https://t.co/liA84Y5IU7
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) 1538666220000Mumbai Police took note of the incident and replied to the tweet by the woman, saying, We have followed you. Request you to inbox your number. We will look into this on priority.
Comedian Abhishek Upmanyu said "everything is true. And also that a lot of people knew and still worked with him."
He said when he got to know that Utsav had sent his explicit images, he called him out on their Facebook group and threatened to out him.
"We kicked him out of the group and also distanced ourselves from him," Upmanyu said narrating the incident on Twitter.
He also shared the chat that he had with Utsav on the group.
I called him out on the group immediately. This is July 2016. I said I won’t tell anyone yet. He called me immediat… https://t.co/lzXVG8uuSr
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) 1538666288000He has brought shame to the entire industry. This is one of the most privileged jobs in the country to the point th… https://t.co/AND4OhSXYm
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) 1538666290000Comedian Kunal Kamra said, "We as a scene, specifically the men here, need to reexamine everything right now. I myself am guilty of being part of a culture where we haven't listened to the women. And this is the wake up call we need We are listening. And we believe you."
We as a scene, specifically the men here, need to reexamine everything right now. I myself am guilty of being part… https://t.co/YRredrQ7bT
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) 1538657554000This asshole, in 2015, DM'd my then girlfriend with a lot of creepy stuff seeking perverted relationship advice. I… https://t.co/dTFl2xEOB6
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) 1538674996000
2018 has been no different and in a breakthrough trial, after decades of whispers, lawsuits, investigations and close calls - and a multitude of women who lost hope anyone would ever believe their word against that of America's Dad - Bill Cosby could be headed to prison at age 80 for the remainder of his life. Cosby's conviction will only bolster the #MeToo movement.
But they weren't alone, it was almost like a Pandora's Box was opened and a lot of names came out. Let's look at all the accused men:
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