Kangana Laughing At Jim Sarbh's 'Rape Joke' Leaves Twitter Furious; Neerja Star Issues Statement

Actor Jim Sarbh has found himself embroiled in a controversy after a purported video showing the Padmaavat star cracking a "rape joke" went viral on the internet. The short clip, which also fetaures Kanagana Ranaut, was apparently shot during a party the two actors attended on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival. In the video that surfaced late on Thursday, Jim can be heard saying, “I’d rather be raped by 12 prostitutes than touch alcohol and the Punjabi says ‘Me too, I didn’t know that was an option’.”

The 30-year-old actor's joke evoked laughter from other attendees, including Kangana who is seen clapping in response. Many users on Twitter shared the viral video and blasted the two actors for their "insensitivity towards sexual violence", especially Kangana, who had condemned superstar Salman Khan's rape remark at the time of Sultan release.

"After Bashing #SalmanKhan #KanganaRanaut laughs on a rape joke by Jim Sarbh. These people...think it's okay to joke and laugh about rape. We live in a society that teaches women to defend themselves from rape, instead of teaching men not to rape women and they laugh! Shame on you!" tweeted a user.

"Dear Jim Sarbh/ Kangana Ranaut, Rape jokes are not funny. Rape is NOT a joke. If you tell or laugh at jokes about rape you are a part of the problem," read another tweet.

However, after facing severe backlash, Sarbh issued a statement claiming that his comments were "taken out of context".

"I understand the environment we live in just now: rape is a deadly serious issue and I treat it as such... I personally do not find it to be about a desire to rape, or to inflict sexual violence upon another. I did not intend to hurt anybody, and I certainly do not consider actual sexual or physical violence funny," he said.