Netizens slam actress after she says 'Bengaluru English is different'

In today's digital age, where opinions can spread like wildfire, even a seemingly innocuous remark can trigger a storm of controversy. This was the case when actor Sahiba Bali, known for her work in projects like Bard of Blood and Laila Majnu, found herself at the center of an unexpected backlash after commenting on the distinct English accent in Bengaluru.

During a podcast with Amin Jazayeri, Sahiba casually observed that "Bangalore English is very different" and provided an example to illustrate her point. While her intention may have been light-hearted, the reaction it sparked was anything but. In the viral video actor can be seen saying , “In India, everywhere you go, it is different English, like Bangalore English is very different.” She then gives an example to support her comment and said, “You are worried, it seems.” They keep on saying 'It seems' "True or not". The rest of the video shows her sharing a story.

Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, were soon flooded with comments, many accusing the actor of perpetuating a divide between how English is spoken in the North and South of India.


Critics were quick to point out the irony in her statement, with some asking, "As if North Indians have a British accent?" The remark touched a nerve, especially among those who felt that it unfairly generalized the way English is spoken in Bengaluru, a city known for its cosmopolitan culture and status as the IT capital of India.


One Instagram user voiced their frustration by stating, "It's the IT capital of the country, and I don’t think Bangalore would have operated for long with on-site projects if this was everyone’s accent. This lame generalization shows she knows nothing except being lame." Another echoed the sentiment, urging people to avoid stereotyping accents and languages.

The backlash highlights a broader issue: the sensitivity around regional identities and the linguistic diversity in India. In a country as vast and varied as India, where dialects and accents change every few kilometers, comments on language can easily be misconstrued as an attempt to create divisions.

However, not everyone was critical of Sahiba's remarks. A few voices in the discussion defended her, arguing that she wasn't mocking the Bengaluru accent but rather appreciating its uniqueness. One user commented, "Not once have these people criticized the way English is spoken in Bangalore. On the contrary, they are expressing their love for the uniquely Bangalorean way it is spoken. Yet, most comments I read here are triggered people targeting North Indians for not knowing the language altogether."