Bhubaneswar: It seems, controversy and Ollywood actor Papu Pom Pom alias Tatwa Prakash Satpathy have become synonymous with each other. The comedian who was recently in headlines following a controversy for a poster of his upcoming movie ‘Mr Kanhaiya’, has once again landed in soup for mimicking internet sensation Ranu Mondal.
Ranu, a woman who used to sing at Ranaghat railway station, became an overnight celebrity after a video of her singing Lata Mangeshkar's evergreen hit ‘Ek pyaar ka nagma hai’ went viral on social media.
In a Tik Tok video, Papu was seen imitating Ranu recording her first song ‘Teri Meri Kahani’ for the movie ‘Happy Hardy and Heer’ in the studio with singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya.
The video purportedly showing Papu draped in a saree and hairstyle just like Ranu and lip-syncing her new song with a microphone has drawn criticism from the fans of Ranu in and outside Odisha.
Even though comments could not be obtained from Papu in connection with the matter, social activists have come down hard on the Ollywood actor for his mockery of Ranu Mondal.
Social activist Linkan Subudhi said, "I don't know but I feel that Papu bhai needs psychiatric treatment. I urge him to take help from a psychiatrist as soon as possible."
Cine critic Dilip Hali also criticised Papu's mimicry and said, "At a time when people of the entire nation are welcoming Ranu Mondal's rise to fame and cherishing her reunion with family members, Papu's act of mockery on the singer is condemnable."
"A real celebrity never tries to ridicule anyone. If Papu thinks that his mimicry acts are funny then he is actually wrong," said Hali adding that action should be taken against the actor comedian for his habitual intention in getting involved in useless controversies.
"Insulting a singer is an insult to her voice. Instead of criticising her, one should be happy that she got a chance to record a song for Bollywood in Mumbai," said noted singer Pranab Patnaik.