Controversy Erupts as TDP Supporters Disrupt Comedian's Show in Bengaluru

The recent disruption of comedian Sarat Uday's show in Bengaluru by TDP supporters over a two-year-old joke has raised concerns about the safety of comedians in India. This incident, which involved verbal abuse and demands for an apology, is part of a troubling trend where comedians face backlash from political figures. Uday's previous apology did not suffice, leading to further confrontation. This marks the third such incident involving comedians and political figures in recent weeks, raising questions about freedom of expression in comedy. Stay tuned for more insights into this evolving situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 26, 2026, 23:12 IST

Disruption at Bengaluru Comedy Show

In recent times, incidents targeting stand-up comedians have become increasingly common in India. A recent event saw supporters of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) interrupt a performance by comedian Sarat Uday in Bengaluru on April 25. The disruption stemmed from a joke made two years prior about Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh, who serves as the human resources development minister. The incident unfolded in Koramangala around 7 PM, where a group of around twelve individuals, identifying as TDP supporters, demanded an apology from Uday for his past remarks.

Details of the Incident

During the early moments of his set, Uday was confronted on stage by TDP supporters who questioned him about his joke regarding the Chief Minister and his son. The situation escalated as they began to verbally abuse him and issued threats. This confrontation was recorded on video. Uday attempted to clarify his stance, mentioning that he had previously issued a public apology in December 2024, but felt compelled to apologize once more. Additionally, the group demanded refunds for their tickets and left after Uday offered to comply.

In a brief conversation with a media outlet, Uday elaborated on the incident, stating that the venue management had contacted the police. He noted, “The video of my apology was issued then itself, and it is on YouTube. I had also joked about the YSR Congress Party as well and not just the TDP. The management called the police, but by the time the cops arrived, the supporters had already left.” This incident marks a troubling trend where comedians face backlash from political figures for their jokes. This is the third reported case of comedians encountering threats or police involvement due to political humor. Earlier this month, comedians Anudeep Katikala and Rafiq Muhammad were arrested for jokes made about Andhra Pradesh's Deputy CM, Pawan Kalyan.

Controversy Surrounding 'India’s Got Latent'

In another related incident, Samay Raina's online show, 'India’s Got Latent,' faced a ban after Ranveer Allahbadia made an inappropriate comment regarding parental intimacy during an episode. Following legal challenges, Raina, Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Mukhija, and Jaskirat Singh received relief from the court. The incident sparked outrage from fellow comedian Kunal Kamra, who criticized Allahbadia on social media for jeopardizing a comedian's livelihood due to his remarks. Stay tuned for further updates!