Super Dancer 3 Controversy: Anurag Basu RESPONDS To NCPCR Notice; Says ‘I Will Not Defend This Because….’

Anurag Basu, Geeta Kapoor, and Shilpa Shetty served as the judges for ‘Super Dancer: Chapter 3.’ The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recently took action against the programme. The organisation filed a complaint against Sony Pictures Networks, alleging that during the 2018–19 season, one of the show's episodes, ‘Super Dancer Chapter 3,’ featured improper content. Anurag Basu has since responded to the uproar. (Also read: Super Dancer Chapter 3: TROUBLE! Shilpa Shetty, Geeta Kapoor, And Anurag Basu’s Dance Show Judges Gets ALLEGED Of Questioning Vulgar And Sexually Explicit Matters On Stage To Childrens)

A clip from ‘Super Dancer: Chapter 3’ is said to show judges allegedly asking a young candidate ‘inappropriate and sexually explicit questions’ about his parents in front of the audience. Therefore, NCPCR ordered that the episode be promptly taken down from all platforms.

Judge Anurag Basu said as per popular media portal, “I will not defend this because I understand how embarrassing this was for the parents, and I am a father of two kids myself. 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.”

He added, “I also feel that we should draw a line when it comes to asking questions to contestants. It is important to be careful while interacting with children because they innocently say things that may not be appropriate. So, ideally, this part could have been edited, but that was not in my control.”

The filmmaker further mentioned, “It is important that we, as judges, exercise this responsibility and be cautious in the questions we ask. I think after this, 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.”

NCPCR notice reads, “The Commission has come across a video on Twitter from your kid's dance show called Super Dancer Chapter 3 which was aired on Sony Entertainment Television, wherein it is seen that the judges on the show were asking the minor child vulgar and sexually explicit questions regarding his parents on stage.”

All of the questions posed to the minor child, according to the Commission, were 'inappropriate, disturbing in nature, and not meant to be asked to children.' The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Commission's rules on child and adolescent engagement in the entertainment sector, according to NCPCR, have all been breached by the network's operations. (Also read: Congratulations! Pankhuri Awasthy And Gautam Rode Cherish Parenthood As They Welcome Adorable TWINS! (View Post))

The Commission also wants to know why a juvenile on a kids' show was subjected to such offensive questions. Additionally, they demanded in their letter that the network stop airing such inappropriate material on their channel.