Kochi: It was laughter all the way as 'competitors in humour' - actor Mukesh and Father Joseph Puthenpurackal' - along with actor Joy Mathew took the dais as part of the session, Are we laughing, seriously? At the Manorama News Freedom Conclave 2018.

Mukesh said laughter was serious business. “There was serious thought, when we make jokes. We sit and discuss if it offends a section or an individual,” he said.

Anchor Johny Lukose said humour was bound to have a victim and the future of humour could be in jeopardy if victims turned out in large numbers.

On being asked if Father Puthenpurackal was faced with criticism from his own brethren on certain anti-woman jibes, he said he faced such statements initially.

“People know me now and such statements have vanished,” he said.

Joy Mathew said he did not want to respond to 'media instigation.' On being asked why he was not responding to the ongoing controversy in films, he said it was totally his choice and freedom. He said the most 'harmless of jokes' were being perceived in a certain light.

Read more: Level of intolerance reaching a crescendo: Padmapriya
 

He said he had taken a selfie with the priest as a memento.

Father Puthenpurackal said world wars erupted from discordant family lives.

As the anchor put forth a general theory that family life was the butt of all major jokes, Mukesh said it was essential to retain our identity even while being the 'receiving end' of jokes.

Alluding to ancient adages which addressed people on the basis of colour and creed, Mukesh said times have changed and the terminology and diction were also changing with it.

Joy Mathew added that word like Pennu (woman) could not be used at this age of 'new consciousness.'

Father Puthenpurackal said a section of people believed that 'god fearing' was antithetical to humour.

He said a section of people refused to accept 'God as a smiling entity.' The session concluded on a note of caution.

All speakers said the recent 'insensitive' trolls during the recent Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode tread the brink of cruelty.

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