Thai actors apologise after Indian fans condemn Bollywood spoof on talk show

Thai actors Fourth Nattawat and Gemini Norawit apologised on X after Indian viewers condemned their Bollywood‑hero sketch on the October 8 episode of Katanyu Tonight.

What Happened

During the game segment Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul was blindfolded and asked to act out the prompt “Bollywood Hero” using only gestures. He bobbed his head wildly and waved his hands dramatically while Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak and the studio audience laughed. Viewers on social media said the performance mocked Indian mannerisms and reinforced stereotypes.

Reaction

Both actors posted apologies on X, stating they never intended to mock any race or culture and were sorry for hurting feelings. The show’s host Katanyu Sawangsri and the Katanyu Tonight production team also issued a statement saying they did not aim to disrespect anyone, would be more careful in the future, and removed the segment from the programme. Indian users quoted on X included: “Racism gets ignored so easily if it’s directed towards Indians,” and “What Fourth and Gemini did was racist and disgusting.”

Context

Cultural missteps on TV often trigger swift online backlash, prompting producers to edit or delete offending material to avoid further offense.