Actor-comedian Vir Das expressed surprise after All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee referenced his controversial 2021 monologue “Two Indias” during a speech in the Lok Sabha. Banerjee mentioned the piece while speaking on the Union Budget 2026–27, calling it a “warning” and even a “prophecy.”
Vir later shared a video reacting to the remarks, appearing stunned that his monologue was discussed on the floor of Parliament.
What did Abhishek Banerjee say?
During his address on Tuesday, Abhishek Banerjee referred to Vir’s performance at the Kennedy Centre in November 2021. He described the monologue as more than just comedy.
“Sir, in November 2021, on a stage thousands of miles away at the Kennedy Centre, Vir Das, a young stand-up comedian from India, spoke of two Indias. Many laughed, some were offended,” Banerjee said.
He added that the monologue was not merely humour but a reflection of deeper national contradictions. “Few paused to listen, but what he offered was not comedy. It was a warning, a prophecy — a mirror held up to a nation standing at the edge of its own contradictions. Because I, too, sir, come from two Indias,” he said.
How did Vir Das respond?
Vir reacted to the speech in a video, responding line by line with visible disbelief.
“In Parliament? Uh huh… where? Oh crap. I’m sorry, this is happening on the floor of Parliament? Don’t do it,” he said. Referring to Banerjee’s comments about mixed reactions to the monologue, Vir added sarcastically, “Some laughed, some were offended? Who paused to listen? On the floor of Parliament?”
Responding to the claim that the monologue was a warning or prophecy, Vir said, “That’s what every newspaper said it wasn’t. I got a warning. Many warnings. A prophecy? In Parliament? No, it felt like broken glass… Where were you then?”
He also used the moment to announce his upcoming international tour, Hey Stranger – A Tour of the World. “Wow. Well folks, I’m leaving the country. I’m actually going on a world tour, and this feels like a really good time to announce it,” he said.
What is the ‘Two Indias’ monologue?
In 2021, Vir Das performed “Two Indias” at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., speaking about the contrasts and contradictions within Indian society. The performance received a standing ovation abroad but sparked major controversy back home.
Several police complaints were filed against him, accusing him of insulting India on an international stage. Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut labelled the monologue as “soft terrorism” and called for action against him. Vir faced trolling and some show cancellations, though he also received support from public figures like Shashi Tharoor and many fans. He stood by his words and refused to apologise.
Most recently, Vir directed, co-produced, and starred in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, which was released on January 16.
