"My intention was to entertain people. I have great respect for Gandhiji. I apologize if I offended anybody with the video," Prasad, a former clown with Ringling Brothers circus, told rediff.com.
But he has no plans to withdraw the video from YouTube. "The video is harmless. Nobody will turn it off once he starts watching it. If somebody is that much concerned, let him tell his family or friends not to watch it."
He said he is getting a lot of calls and emails after the video was telecast in India, some threatening and some supportive. "I have mixed feelings about the whole controversy. Some accuse me of portraying Gandhi with a gun and alcohol. Such scenes are not on my video. They are speaking about some other video," Prasad, who terms himself as 'a laughter delivery system,' said.
"I am a clown. In the video I am not pretending as Gandhi. I am playing only a character," he said.
The video was made a year ago but posted on YouTube five-six weeks ago, he said. He does not know how the Indian TV channels came to know about it. The video comes with the following announcement: 'The following video portrays Mahatma Gandhi in a way that many people feel is offensive. Please do not view the following video if you may be offended. Furthermore, I sincerely apologize for any offense this video has already caused.'
Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi has demanded a 'profound apology' from TV channels that telecast the video in India, and there are reports that showcause notices have been issued to them.
Prasad, who is currently doing his own clown pieces in New York City questions his critics also. "They want to worship and idealise Gandhi, but not to live in the path shown by him. If they are true Gandhians they will not feel offended by the video," Prasad, who came to the US as a young boy, said.
He does not agree to a ban of the video by the government. "The better way is that those who will feel offended should not watch it."
He is also upset about wasting the time, money and energy on such small things. "What is more important, things like the war in Iraq or the murder in Darfur or a video, to attract our attention? We have many better things to do," he said.
He said his parents who are in Ohio are supportive though they have not seen the video. Prasad who has a masters in acting said he will continue to pursue the work as a comedian.
His web site pokes fun at himself too: 'The child of a lapdog and a Shetland pony, Gautham Prasad was born in Madagascar and raised by rabid, lesbian wolves in the south of Spain. He is a self-proclaimed master at one-ball juggling and holds a master's degree in cast iron cookware from the University of Norway. In addition to his interests in theatre, he is very active politically and takes full responsibility for any and all actions committed by the Bush administration. His interests include long walks on the beach, beaches with long walks, and Caminatas largas en la playa. He was last seen looking for something.'
Prasad, who was born in India and raised in America, studied acting at Northwestern University and studied mime in Paris with Maximilien Decroux. He has studied clowning with Dick Monday, Tiffany Reilly, Sue Morrison, and David Shiner, informs his web site.
Apart from his comic act, Prasad is also a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher.
