Actress Sahiba Bali has found herself at the center of a controversy after her comments on the way English is spoken in Bengaluru sparked outrage among city residents. During an appearance on the ‘Untriggered’ podcast with Amin Jazayeri, Bali made remarks about the unique pronunciation of English in Bengaluru, drawing criticism for her perceived mockery of the city’s dialect.
Bali, known for her role in the film ‘Laila Majnu,’ stated that different regions of India have distinct English accents, highlighting Bengaluru’s particular way of speaking. Her comments, however, were met with strong backlash on social media, with many users expressing their displeasure and highlighting the absurdity of her remarks.
“Really we speak way better English than you’ll,” commented one Bengaluru resident. Others echoed this sentiment, questioning the basis for her observations and highlighting the diversity of languages spoken in the city. Some even criticized Bali’s own English, suggesting she might be projecting her own insecurities. “Unlike some people who know only Hindi and a bit of English, we can speak more languages. What ya you think you have British accent ah,” one user sarcastically remarked.
The controversy escalated with users highlighting the importance of Bengaluru’s linguistic diversity, especially given its role as the IT capital of India. “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 generalisation shows she knows nothing except being lame,” wrote one user.
While many criticized Bali’s comments, a few came to her defense, suggesting that her remarks were taken out of context and that she was simply acknowledging the unique nature of Bengaluru’s English. “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. Why this sudden hatred, man? Why this sudden divide? It’s sad,” one user wrote.
The controversy has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding regional accents and the tendency to generalize about language variations. It serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing cultural diversity and respecting the unique expressions of language across different communities.
