Actress and digital creator Kusha Kapila responded to a journalist who posted a meme calling her a 'random' celebrity. The video, which is now making the rounds online, featured images of Kusha alongside YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia and actress Urvashi Rautela, referencing their appearances at the Cannes Film Festival. While Urvashi walked the red carpet at Cannes this year, Kusha had attended the prestigious event in 2023.
The meme juxtaposed their photos with a scene from the American TV series The Studio, where characters played by Seth Rogen and Catherine O'Hara are seen on a red carpet saying, "Who are these people? I don't recognise any of them. They are influencers. Most of them don't even go inside. They just make their red carpet TikToks and leave."
Though the video was seemingly intended as humourous commentary, it did not sit well with Kusha, who took to the comments section to clarify her stance and defend her presence at Cannes.
"You have taken a picture of mine from 2023, slapped on a meme that you are likely making about this year’s Cannes film festival. I have already been called out plenty that year, reflected, course corrected and done my share of apologising and never ever been seen in a place where I don’t deserve a place," she wrote.
Setting the record straight about her appearance at the festival, Kusha added, "For context, I actually did attend the screening that day for the show, The Idol, and sat through two episodes of the show and also posted an honest review. It was a terrible show. I posted pictures and stories from inside the screening so no, I didn’t just exit from the red carpet."
Taking further aim at the narrative that influencers don't belong at red carpet events, she explained, "Historically, companies HAVE sponsored celebrities and actors to walk the red carpet. Brands buy the ticket for the red carpet. Title sponsors of the event can have their ambassadors walk on the carpets. It is not a 'trend' started by creators/influencers."
While she accepted constructive criticism about her acting career, Kusha drew the line at being dismissed as irrelevant. "Calling me out for not yet making a mark as an actor is fair, I will keep trying and take that on my chin but please don’t refer to me as a random celebrity. Calling someone’s entire existence random is not cool. I am a creator. Call me that please. It’s a meme for you. For me, it’s my identity," Kushal concluded.
The post was shared with the caption, "Full support to Indian films at Cannes (Neeraj Ghawyan 's Homebound is up this year) but random celebs like Beer Biceps and Kusha Kapila being sponsored by companies to walk the red carpet, that gives me the ick. As I post this, our 'queen' Urvashi Rautela has already made her millionth Cannes appearance."
Soon after Kusha posted the comment, the journalist apologised and wrote, "My apologies if I hurt any sentiments for you or the content creator community. Used the word 'Indian celebs' as an umbrella term to also include other personalities like actress Urvashi Rautela and rapper King. I'm aware you went to the 2023 edition where The Idol premiered (yeah shit show indeed, we all hated it 🫡). And this meme was just a generic satire on any of Cannes's recent editions. Obv shared it to coincide with the current Cannes. Also nowhere did I mention this is a 'trend' started by content creators. I just shared a clip from a Seth Rogen show (exaggerated satire obv). And again if the use of the word 'random' hurt you and your identity, I truly apologise for that. Will be more mindful next time."
On the work front, Kusha was last seen in the series Life Hill Gayi, which starred Divyenndu, and Mukti Mohan, among others. She also featured in series such as Masaba Masaba Season 2, Case Toh Banta Hai, Minus One: New Chapter, and Dehati Ladke Chaya.
She has appeared in several films, including Ghost Stories, Plan A Plan B, Sukhee, and Thank You For Coming, among others.
