Vir Das recently shared his thoughts on Indian award shows in an Instagram post, humorously pointing out how difficult it has become to deliver an “edgy joke” after spending minutes reciting a long list of sponsors.
Taking a subtle jab at the India’s Got Latent controversy, he also questioned why modern stand-up comedians are rarely featured at such events. His comments came in the context of the Academy Awards, which was hosted by Conan O’Brien.
Reflecting on the differences between international and Indian entertainment award ceremonies, Vir Das remarked that many Indian comedians likely play a mental game while watching these events, wondering why Indian award shows do not feature contemporary stand-up comedians. He further joked that the thought process quickly shifts when considering the kind of backlash some jokes might provoke, ultimately leading to the realization that it is probably for the best.
Adding to the satire, he pointed out the difficulty of maintaining a comedic rhythm when an opening monologue has to follow an exhaustive roll call of sponsors. He humorously listed an exaggerated series of brand names, highlighting how corporate sponsorships dominate Indian award shows, making it challenging to set the right tone for an edgy joke.
His post resonated with many online, with a flood of laugh-out-loud emojis appearing in the comments section, as users seemed to appreciate his witty take on the state of Indian entertainment award shows.
