Veteran actor and television host Annu Kapoor has landed himself in controversy after making what many called a “vulgar” comment about actress Tamannaah Bhatia. 

The 68-year-old actor recently appeared on journalist Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube show, where his remarks about Tamannaah’s looks and one of her popular songs sparked outrage online.

During the conversation, when asked whether he liked the Entertainment actress, Annu said, “Mashallah kya dudhiya badan hai (Mashallah, what a milky-white body she has).”

The host then mentioned that Tamannaah had once said children fall asleep listening to her hit song Aaj Ki Raat. 

To this, he replied jokingly: “Kitne umar ke baache so jaate hain… 70 saal ke umar ka bhi bachcha ho sakta hai na, main hota toh puchta ke kitne umar ke so jaate hain. Angreezi mein bolte hain that he is 70 years old, woh 70 saal purana bacha hai… And he is 11 year old budha.”

(What age children fall asleep? Even a 70-year-old can be a child. If I were there, I’d ask what age they are. In English, they say he’s 70 years old — a 70-year-old child, or an eleven-year-old old man)

Later, the actor continued with another remark, “Behen, apne gaane se, aapne shareer se, apne dudhiya chehre se humare bacchun ko sulti hain… Bahut achi baat hai.. Desh ke upar kripa hogi agar humare desh ke bacch achi aur swasthya neend soyein.” (Sister, with your songs, your body, and your milky face you make our children fall asleep… that’s a good thing. May God bless our nation if our children sleep well and healthy)

Soon after the clip went viral, social media users slammed him for his tone and language, calling his comments “cheap” and “disrespectful.” Some urged him to maintain the dignity expected from a senior artist.

Annu Kapoor, who has been part of the film industry for over four decades, is known for his work in Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Jolly LLB 2, Aitraaz, and several television shows. 

However, this latest controversy has clearly left many disappointed with the actor’s choice of words.