Vir Das Controversy: TMC Invites Comedian To Kolkata After Cancellation Of Bengaluru Show

Comedian Vir Das sparked outrage on social media after delivering a monologue as part of his performance in the United States, with many accusing him of "insulting India."

Stand-Up Comedian Vir Das

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien has invited stand-up comedian Vir Das to Kolkata on Friday, a day after his show in Bengaluru was cancelled at the last minute due to protests by Hindu right-wing groups.

The protesting groups alleged that the show, scheduled to be held on Thursday, would hurt Hindu religious sentiments, news agency PTI reported. 

"Hello, @thevirdas Come to #Kolkata. We would love to have you here this winter. DM me, please. Let's get this going," the TMC's leader of the House in Rajya Sabha said in a tweet.

Hello @thevirdas

Come to #Kolkata. We would love to have you here this winter. DM me please. Let’s get this going. https://t.co/P9taO0dewq

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) November 11, 2022

Das later posted a video on Twitter to dispel any misconceptions regarding his content. Das can be seen in the video asking his audience if anything he said during the performance defamed India or damaged anyone's feelings. The crowd is observed responding negatively.

"I made this video after one of my shows, Just in Case. I have no interest in media spectacles or being used for headlines. I'm an artist. I shouldn't be on the news. Many assumptions are made about my content. I trust my art and my audience to speak for me. #TrustTheAudience," Das tweeted.

I made this video after one of my shows, Just in Case. I have no interest in media spectacles or being used for headlines. I’m an artist. I shouldn’t be on the news. Many assumptions are made about my content. I trust my art and my audience to speak for me. #TrustTheAudience ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/NTT9T5cEq9

— Vir Das (@thevirdas) November 10, 2022

Comedian Vir Das sparked outrage on social media after delivering a monologue as part of his performance in the United States, with many accusing him of "insulting India."

Das' monologue "I come from two Indias" sparked outrage a year ago when he was accused of defaming the country, PTI reported. 

Vir Das posted a video titled "I come from two Indias" on YouTube. The monologue in the video was part of his performance at Washington, DC's John F. Kennedy Center.

Several events by local stand-up comedians have been cancelled in recent years.

Munawar Faruqui's shows in November 2021 and August of this year have been cancelled. Multiple Kunal Kamra events were cancelled in December 2021 due to "threats to close down the venue."

Stand-up comedy is a type of live comedy performance in which the artist addresses the audience directly from the stage. A comedian, comic, or stand-up comedian is the name given to the performer. One-liners, tales, remarks, or a schtick that may include props, music, magic tricks, or ventriloquism comprise stand-up comedy.

(With Inputs From Agencies)