My sense of hunger came from New York, not India: Chef Vikas Khanna's savage reply to BBC anchor resurfaces
An old video of popular US-based Indian chef Vikas Khanna has surfaced online where he could be seen giving a savage reply to a BBC anchor when he asked during a 2021 interview if his sense of hunger comes from India.
The interview dates back to a time when Khanna had launched the ‘Feed India’ initiative to provide food and support to people in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the conversation, the anchor could be heard asking Khanna: "But it was not always that way, was it? You are not from a rich family. So, I dare say, you understand how precarious it can be in India.
On the question if his sense of hunger came from India, the celebrity chef replied, “My sense of hunger came from New York”.
Khanna said: "My sense of hunger came from living in America, more than India." He mentioned the difficulty he faced while living in America post 9/11 as a brown kid. He reminded the anchor that he was born and raised in Amritsar where the community kitchens (langar) can feed the entire city.
Khanna himself shared the video on Instagram and wrote praising India's rich diversity.
"As this is trending worldwide, I must address this issue. Every nation has its greatness & faults. India is so, so multidimensional & multicultural. One of the fastest-growing economies. Our cuisine is valued as our greatest soft power, our family structure, spiritual power & wisdom, literature, science, research, technology, music, culture has defined its space in the World," Khanna said.
"Our Chefs are ruling the global stages & our role in the World of science & technology is symbolic to who we are & our educational systems. But somehow this is the only question significant to some," he said.
Netizens, including celebrities, praised Khanna for his response.
Singer Shreya Ghoshal wrote in the comment section: " What a dignified and befitting reply! @vikaskhannagroup 🩷 it’s a shame that an anchor of such a reputed channel could be so delusional and disrespectful."
Rapper Badshah said: "And that is why we love you so much paaji."
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

Final moments caught on camera: Ajit Pawar’s plane tilted before crash
New CCTV footage has emerged showing the Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tilting sharply to the left moments before it crashed near the runway at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board.

India, US ‘very close’ to trade deal, talks made ‘significant progress’: Report
India and the United States have made “very significant progress” in their ongoing trade deal negotiations and are “very close” to a positive outcome, government sources told NDTV, even as New Delhi concluded the political phase of its free trade agreement with the European Union.

Sharad Pawar dismisses conspiracy claims in Ajit Pawar plane crash
An emotional Sharad Pawar on Wednesday ruled out any conspiracy in the plane crash that killed his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, calling it a “pure accident” and urging people not to politicise the tragedy.

Drugs, narco-terror, security: Why the US–India meeting in Washington matters?
Indian and US officials have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation to dismantle the illegal production and trafficking of illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals that threaten communities in both countries. The resolve was underscored during the inaugural Drug Policy Executive Working Group meeting held in Washington, DC, on January 20–21.
Latest News

Ranveer Singh booked for mimicry of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara act, allegedly insulting Chavundi Daiva

Final moments caught on camera: Ajit Pawar’s plane tilted before crash

India, US ‘very close’ to trade deal, talks made ‘significant progress’: Report

Sharad Pawar dismisses conspiracy claims in Ajit Pawar plane crash

