Nepali comedian Prabhat Lama has shared that he received threats after playing the role of former king Gyanendra Shah in the comedy TV show Comedy Night with Champions. Lama expressed his concerns on Facebook, saying the show was purely for entertainment and had no political intentions.
Threats after portraying ex-king
The episode aired on Tuesday on Himalaya TV, where Prabhat Lama mimicked the former monarch. After the show aired, he said he began receiving angry phone calls and messages from royalist supporters who were offended by his performance.
Prabhat Lama questions the reaction
Writing on Facebook, Prabhat Lama questioned why people were so angry. He wrote,
“If you’re already reacting this way before your king returns, what will you do if he actually comes back? Let me do my job, and you go ahead with bringing your king back.”
He argued that criticizing or making fun of any public figure—including the president or prime minister—is part of a free society, so doing the same for a former king shouldn’t be seen as disrespectful.
On caste-related comments
Lama also addressed some backlash related to his identity. He stated that it was inappropriate to link his ethnic background to his performance and that artistic expression should not be judged through the lens of caste. He encouraged critics to join the arts themselves if they have the talent.
Comedy is not an insult
He clarified that caricatures and impressions in comedy are not meant to insult but to express ideas through humor. Lama added that he personally respects former king Gyanendra and understands the level of honor he deserves, saying,
“He is like a grandfather figure to me, and I know how to show him proper respect.”
Calls for calm and understanding
Ending his post, Lama urged people not to use threatening language against artists. He wrote,
“This show was created only for entertainment. It was not made to promote any political agenda or harm anyone. Watch it, enjoy it, and feel free to give suggestions.”
