KUALA LUMPUR – The “Thaipusam kavadi” remark was the first thing that came to mind as many other comments on former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan likened her dress at the Cannes Film Festival to a peacock, said celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail.
The flamboyant chef, popularly known as Chef Wan, said it was never his intention “in a million years” to come off as racist or to insult anyone else’s religion.
“My mind immediately thought of the material the designer used for her outfit. I see them a lot in the religious Thaipusam kavadi in Batu Caves.
“Because many followers also commented that it was like a peacock, so my mind said… ‘oh that’s right, kavadi uses a lot of peacock feathers.’
“I always thought peacock feathers were beautiful. Since the (Instagram post) as for my ‘first thought’ I immediately typed and said ‘she was carrying kavadi…’,” he posted on Instagram early this morning.
The 65-year-old personality added that his true intention was to relate to the Thaipusam festival “as it’s our own famous festival” and not to mock the renowned actress.
“… Being a TV chef I have always loved and have high respect for all cultures and religions of the world. I loved the people of the world and Malaysians of all cultures.
“I like to take this opportunity to express my deep apologies to all those people who felt I had hurt their religion by making such remarks. I am sorry.”
His apology post today garnered many comments in support of his explanation. As of 8.30am, the post has gotten nearly 1,500 likes and 55 comments.
His remarks made last week did not go down well with some who felt that Chef Wan was mocking the Indian actress and the Hindu religion.
In Hinduism, kavadi is one of the offerings presented to Lord Muruga by his devotees after their prayers and vows are fulfilled as a way of saying thanks.
A Malaysian woman later lodged a police report against Chef Wan, claiming he was touching on race, religion and royalty (3R) sensitivities.
Aishwarya, 50, donned a shimmery blue-and-silver gown as she walked the red carpet for the screening of acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest feature Kinds of Kindness, starring two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone.
The gown featured a sweeping train and striking, dramatic shoulders adorned with a metallic fringe. – May 28, 2024