Recently, an old clip from 'Super Dancer 3' went viral where a contestant was asked 'inappropriate' questions about his parents. Post the video started doing the rounds on social media, netizens started criticising the judges for asking 'vulgar' questions. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued a notice to the makers of the dance reality show for airing ‘inappropriate content’ in one of the episodes during 2018-19.
Filmmaker Anurag Basu, actress Shilpa Shetty and choreographer Geeta Kapur were the judges of the show. NCPCR sought an explanation from the channel and also demanded that the clip be removed from all platforms.
When Anurag was asked about the video, he told Times Of India that he will not defend it because he understands how embarrassing it was for the parents as he himself is a father of two kids.
Basu further said, “Super Dancer is a kids’ dance reality show, and children often say things innocently. We shoot with them for hours, and they say so many things, which are sometimes not in anyone’s control. I agree that I should not have directed the conversation towards something that led the contestant to say things that embarrassed his parents.”
The 'Ludo' director also feels that a line should be drawn when it comes to asking questions to contestants. He also said that it is important to be careful while interacting with children because they innocently say things that may not be appropriate. He feels that the clip in question could have been edited, but that was not in his control.
“It is important that we, as judges, exercise this responsibility and be cautious in the questions we ask. I think after this (clip going viral), the kids, too, will be cautious while saying anything. It is important that such things don’t happen. This is my personal opinion. I am speaking here as a judge of a reality show and not on behalf of the channel. I felt it was my responsibility to clear the air because I am aware that this clip has gone viral," he added.
