In India, comedy is no longer a funny business

Stand-up is booming, but performers face political pressure to self-censor

Mumbai-based comedian Azeem Banatwalla said he used to laugh at the death threats he received. Now, he admitted, he is sometimes rattled, although he continues to make jokes against the government. (Courtesy of Azeem Banatwalla)

CHARUKESI RAMADURAI, Contributing writer

July 28, 2024 12:00 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- In late 2022, the Indian comedian and actor Vir Das delivered a 66-minute monologue about his journey from obscurity to fame at an auditorium in New York. His performance, later telecast by Netflix, won him the 2023 Emmy award for comedy.

During the show, he commented on how American media often ask the question: "Why doesn't Indian comedy push the envelope?" His answer: Indian comedians have looked inside the envelope and discovered it holds dates for court hearings.