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The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Hindu Huddle 2025: Anu Menon calls stand-up comedy ‘difficult' as people are ‘easily offended'
Indian comedy, especially political comedy, faces an existential challenge in the current socio-political climate, observed Anuradha Menon, a pioneering standup comedian and VJ of India, in a session at The Huddle by The Hindu. Best known for her Malayali-coded 'Lola Kutty' alter ego on television, Anu Menon sat down for a light-hearted session on the inaugural day of The Huddle. However, during the chat, she called attention to the recent mob attack on Habitat Studio in Khar, Mumbai. The popular comedy club-cum-performance venue was vandalised after a YouTube special taped there by comedian Kunal Kamra offended a political group. Soon after the incident, Habitat Studio shut down operations indefinitely. 'They (the mob) went to the comedy club and trashed the place when people were sitting inside,' Menon said. 'For some reason, they did not realise comedy specials are shot a few months prior, then edited, sound-mixed and released later. It's not like it's happening in real time that you can go and ask, 'Arrey, Kunal Kamra kidhar hai? (Where is Kunal Kamra?)' Menon remarked that people today are 'easily offended', and that it's hard to predict what might offend them. And while satire and political jokes often draw the heaviest fire, even seemingly innocuous subjects—such as Menon making fun of her own son—can rub audiences the wrong way. The Hindu Huddle 2025 Day 1 LIVE updates 'I have never been a political comedian so that has gone in my favour. I talk about everyday things. And my target usually are my family members. But even then, I have been asked questions.' Menon, with characteristic dash, illustrated the challenges of being a woman comedian in what is, by and large, a male-dominated ecosystem. 'One Women's Day, I made enough money to go on a holiday to Paris and watch my favourite tennis player Rafale Nadal play. After that, it's been a downward spiral because people are too scared to touch comedy sometimes.' She mentioned various limitations imposed upon comedians performing at corporate events. 'People say there are few women comedians but it is true of most professions in the world,' she said, adding that sometimes, a performance by a female standup at a corporate show is viewed as a 'jokes mujra'. Menon said she is 'not comfortable' with using too many swear words in her standup, but does not oppose those who do. 'I don't think there is extra virtue in me not swearing. If a comedian is doing it, that's completely okay.'
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kangana Ranaut criticises Kunal Kamra, calls remarks '2 minutes of fame' stunt
Listen to article Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has criticised comedian Kunal Kamra, accusing him of seeking "two minutes of fame" after his parody of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde triggered political backlash, protests, and legal action. Ranaut, a BJP MP from Mandi, questioned the credibility of individuals who, in her view, use insults for attention. "Who are these people, and what are their credentials? If they can write, they should do so in literature… Abusing people and our culture in the name of comedy is unacceptable," she said. Her remarks come as Kamra faces an FIR over a satirical song he performed during a show. The parody, set to a tune from Dil Toh Pagal Hai, referred to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor), a reference to his split from the Shiv Sena. The comments angered Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers, who vandalised Habitat Studio in Mumbai, where Kamra performed. Police have arrested 12 people and booked 40 others over the violence. The controversy has drawn strong reactions from political leaders. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Kamra, calling his joke an attempt to "belittle" Shinde. "Insulting people holding constitutional posts to create disturbances will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken as per law," Fadnavis said. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray defended Kamra, arguing that the comedian had merely expressed public sentiment. "He has not done anything wrong. These traitors (referring to the Shinde-led faction) conveniently ignore those who have insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Thackeray said. Meanwhile, Habitat Studio announced a temporary closure, stating it was "shocked and worried" after being targeted over Kamra's performance. The venue distanced itself from his remarks, saying it had no involvement in the making of the video that sparked the backlash. Despite the legal action and political storm, Kamra remains defiant. "I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Deputy CM Ajit Pawar himself has said about Eknath Shinde. I don't fear this mob, and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down," he said. The police have issued Kamra a summons, and further legal proceedings are expected. The case has reignited debates on free speech in India, with supporters arguing that political satire should not be met with crim–inal charges.
