Vir Das Mocks Indian Award Shows, Jokes About India’s Got Latent Controversy: ‘The Utter Sh*tstorm…’
Last Updated:
Vir Das pokes fun at Indian award shows, questioning why they don’t use stand-up comedians and mocking their long list of sponsors.
Vir Das has reacted to Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent row on Instagram. (Image: Instagram/Vir Das and Samay Raina)
Vir Das, known for his sharp wit, recently took a dig at Indian award shows, pointing out how difficult it is to deliver an “edgy joke” when hosts spend the opening minutes listing a long lineup of sponsors. The stand-up comedian and actor also subtly referenced the India’s Got Latent controversy while sharing his observations on the state of award ceremonies in India.
In an Instagram post, Vir quipped, “While watching a major entertainment awards show, I’m pretty sure a few fellow Indian comedians play a game in our head. We wonder why Indian award shows don’t use modern stand-up comedians at major awards. Then… we think of some of the jokes we would do, the utter sh*tstorm that would follow, then we think it’s probably for the best.”
Taking a lighthearted jab at the excessive branding in Indian award shows, he added, “Also, we remember the opening monologue is at the top of the show, which logically requires showing up on time and staying for the whole show, which again reaffirms… probably for the best. Also, just rhythm-wise… it’s hard to do an edgy joke after saying ‘Manikchand Pan Pasand Fun Flips Zorro Plus Zandu Bandu MDH MCD Motorola Parivar…’”
Vir’s comments come in the wake of the recent Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, where stand-up comedy played a key role in the evening’s entertainment. His remarks also subtly reference the India’s Got Latent controversy, which sparked debates about freedom of speech and the role of new media in India’s entertainment industry.
Last month, Vir had openly criticised the media’s coverage of the India’s Got Latent row, calling it “a bunch of irrelevant mainstream media anchors bordering extinction coming together to take down new media that gets millions more views.”