A parliamentary shoutout to a comedian’s routine escalated into a social media spar, with Abhishek Banerjee accusing Vir Das of exploiting the moment for self-promotion amid India’s ‘Two Indias’ narrative.
Banerjee’s X post cut deep: ‘Ah, Two Indias charm—one probes the comedian’s divide talk, the other packages it as tour hype. Democratic wit at play. Cheers to packed houses and epic tours.’
During a fiery budget discussion, Banerjee name-dropped Das’s 2021 performance, recasting its laughs and backlash as a stark prophecy. ‘From afar, at Kennedy Center, Vir Das voiced two Indias. Jokes for some, fury for others—a vital warning of our self-contradictions. Like me, he reflects our dual nation.’
Flabbergasted, Das posted a reaction clip: ‘Me in Parliament? No way! Anger from the House?’ With impeccable timing, he pitched his world tour: ‘Declaring now—Hey Stranger tour begins, just leaving the country!’
Banerjee’s riposte paints Das as the poster child for bifurcated India: questioned in political arenas, celebrated in entertainment ones. This episode transcends banter, probing how public figures navigate scrutiny versus stardom. In an era of viral clips and soundbites, such interactions blur lines between stage, chamber, and screen, enriching India’s discourse with humor’s edge.