Tanmay Bhat pays a tribute to Sachin Tendulkar on his birthday; apologises for Snapchat joke

One of the biggest controversies last year involved AIB comedian Tanmay Bhat mimicking Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar on Snapchat.

The joke blew out of proportion and Bhat had to face the ire of the fans of the legendary cricketer and playback singer both.  Now in an effort to redeem himself, the comedian wrote a heartfelt note about how the Sachin Tendulkar impacted his life on the Master Blaster’s 44th birthday yesterday.

Bhat recalled a particular incident from his growing up years: He talks about how he started crying because he was late to watch Sachin batting in Wankhade Stadium. The comedian says, how “he cried and cried till he reached the stadium. Thank you for my childhood. Thank you for being an inspiration. Thank you for making me cry.”

The comedian also addressed the Snapchat controversy where he said the worst part of the episode was not the life threat from MNS but that the former cricketer would only remember him for the ‘silly joke’. He also hoped to meet the legend one day and make him laugh, but for the right reasons.

“The worst part for me about the controversy wasn’t the MNS threatening to kill me. It was that the only thing you’ll ever know me for is that silly, silly joke. And nothing else I ever do will change that first impression. A joke I never ever dreamed you’ll see. I pictured you sitting at home watching the news, embarrassed and baffled. And what made me saddest was knowing I’d never probably meet you. A dream died that day,” he wrote.

Here is the Facebook post:

While Sachin Tendulkar has not responded to his message yet, his fans are praising Tanmay Bhat.

Here are some of the replies he got on Twitter:

You have earned respect of a lot of fans with this! :)

— Samixan (He/Him) (@samixan) April 24, 2017

Apart from all the controversies keep in mind that there are people out there who love you for who you really are! Okay manauj? Smile now!!

— Shefali Rajnandini ✿ (@_shefali_) April 24, 2017

Finally you earned my respect. Although I am a big fan of your work but dint like that one..But only a brave person can do it.

— Relunctant Fundamentalist (@abhipratapadv) April 24, 2017