New Delhi, September 2026 — Stand-up artist and satirist Pulkit Mani has announced the cancellation of his upcoming performance tour across Uttar Pradesh—including scheduled dates in Noida, Lucknow, and Kanpur—citing rising safety concerns and intimidation following a viral political parody video.
A Mimicry Skit on Stage
The controversy began during a recent event in Indore, where Mani performed a brief political satire segment alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as part of a student outreach initiative. During the skit, Mani mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speaking style and international public interactions, greeting Gandhi with the phrase “My friend”.
While the comedian did not explicitly name the Prime Minister, Gandhi’s playful response on stage—”I’m fine; how are you, Modi ji?”—made the subject of the parody clear to audience members and viewers online.
Online Exposure and Escalating Threats
Video clips of the performance were published on political party social media channels and rapidly circulated across platforms. The video drew widespread public attention alongside strong criticism from ruling party supporters and political commentators, who described the act as inappropriate political theater.
Shortly after the video went viral, Mani posted a statement announcing that his upcoming show in Noida was canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances”. In subsequent posts on social media, the comedian shared updates indicating he was stepping back from public appearances and canceling his broader tour in Uttar Pradesh due to repeated safety threats from local activist groups.
Previous Censorship and Debate on Satire
This incident is not the first time Mani’s comedic work has faced public or administrative scrutiny. Earlier, one of his viral digital parody videos was removed from major social media platforms following formal government legal requests.
The cancellation of the Uttar Pradesh tour has restarted broader conversations regarding political satire, digital content regulation, and safety for performing artists in India, highlighting the challenges faced by creators navigating political commentary.
