Bad day to have eyes: Ahmad Ali Butt, Ahmed Ali Akbar recreate infamous Oscar slapgate, get trolled

Host and actor channeled their inner Chris Rock and Will Smith at Hum Awards but the internet is not impressed

A short clip from the recent Hum Awards is doing the rounds on social media for having captured a recreation of the infamous “slapgate”. Showing Ahmad Ali Butt taking a dig at Ahmed Ali Akbar’s look from his super hit serial Parizaad, the clip sees Butt passing colourist remarks at Akbar, prompting the Laal Kabootar star to come forward and slap him, leaving everyone in shock.

It is when Akbar follows up his slap with a warning reminiscent of Will Smith’s warning to Chris Rock at the Oscars that the audience realises the host and actor are recreating the “the slap heard around the world.” Butt initially says, “Ahmed Ali Akbar… Parizaad. Menay tumhe kaha tha na? Bohat pehle kaha tha, hit hone keliye mun kaala karana parta hai (I told you, didn’t I? I told you a long time ago that you have to lose face to become a star). Par tumne tou aik nahi, dou nahi, paanch heroines ke saath mun kaala karaliya (But you ended up losing face to not one, not two, but five heroines).”

A laughter erupts in the hall as Akbar walks towards Butt and fake slaps him. Everyone goes silent. He then screams, “Keep my name out of your mouth!” leaving the crowd in fits, once again. While the recreation evidently garnered quite the applause at the award show, social media users are not impressed. With most finding it “cringe worthy” and others dubbing it “offensive”, the depiction, that may or may not have been scripted, is also being trolled for its “lack of originality.”

“This was the worst tommyrot kind of cringe I've seen in my entire life,” commented a user under the clip shared on Facebook. “This is so cringe. Need to unsee and cleanse my eyes,” added another. “Oh, my word! Can y’all do anything without copying the West? Even the cringiest of stuff that happens there, you people mimic!” complained one more.

“Bad day to have eyes,” quipped another. “What’s the fun in recreating this scene [with] low standard acts? It was a painful and shocking moment for Chris Rock. Too disgusting and a pathetic try at comedy,” a comment read. “The whole thing is so racist, to be honest,” another user felt. “Where’s Will Smith when you need him?” asked a user laughing. “Then they ask us to support local cinema,” joked one more.

Twitter wasn't short of its reservations either. "How is 'mun kaala karwana,' as a joke towards a drama like Parizaad (around colorism) an acceptable joke in an award function?!" asked Kanwal Ahmed. 

How is “mun kaala karwana,” as a joke towards a drama like Parizaad (around colorism) an acceptable joke in an award function?! 😐#humawards2022 pic.twitter.com/kZIX1NojeN

— Kanwal Ahmed (@kanwalful) September 26, 2022

"Man predicted this in March for Ahmed Ali Butt and Hum Style Awards," tweeted a user with a meme to go with it. 

Man predicted this in March for Ahmed Ali Butt and Hum Style Awards 🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/YaT9tdPOoe

— Anas Tipu (@teepusahab) September 27, 2022

"Ahmed Ali Butt being the Amy Schumer of Pakistan lmao. Can't make jokes to save his life but they keep calling him back," lamented a teary-eyed user. 

Ahmed Ali Butt being the Amy Schumer of Pakistan lmaoo. Cant make jokes to save his life but they keep calling him back 😭 https://t.co/OaMd5OjJ9J

— liz ², and a flower 🃏 (@elizamasud) September 27, 2022

"Still trying to understand why Ahmed Ali Butt is relevant in this day and age," contemplated one more. 

Still trying to understand why Ahmed Ali Butt is relevant in this day and age 👀 https://t.co/pZsaxFJSNd

— Syed M. Saad Ahsan (@saadahsan) September 26, 2022

Stars graced the red carpet of the Hum Awards 2022 on September 24. Held in Toronto, Canada, this year’s extravaganza witnessed the who’s who of the Pakistani entertainment industry. A bevvy of artists took accolades home in leading categories, including the likes of Akbar, Saboor Aly, and Ayeza Khan. While the show offered some breathtaking performances by Zara Noor Abbas, Bilal Ashraf and Mahira Khan, it also saw some drool-worthy outfits making a statement.

Stars in attendance were also criticsed back home for “taking a trip” while the country struggled to stay afloat amid the flash floods. Celebrities hit back at the jibes by assuring that they were only doing their jobs while the channel ensured proceeds from the ceremony would be donated to flood victims. Fans, however, continually express their disapproval.

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