Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Indian comedian Gaurav Gupta has gone viral for a light-hearted exchange during his US tour — featuring a Pakistani audience member.
Social Media Blocks and Industry Reactions
In the aftermath of the attack, several Pakistani artists’ social media profiles were blocked in India. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) also called for a complete ban on Pakistani artists, urging Indian citizens to avoid collaboration with them during such sensitive times.
Gaurav’s US Tour Begins with Laughter and a Bit of Edge
Gaurav Gupta recently kicked off his US-Canada stand-up comedy tour with shows in Atlanta and Chicago. On Sunday, he posted a video from one of these performances where he engaged in humorous crowdwork with a Pakistani man attending the show.
The interaction began when Gupta noticed the man’s nationality, prompting some audience members to yell “Sindoor” — referencing Operation Sindoor, a recent counter-terror operation. Gaurav quickly told them to stay respectful and lightened the mood.
The Roast that Broke the Internet
Gaurav joked, “Brother, you have a lot of guts coming to the show. You thought artists were banned, but audience members are still allowed!”
The audience erupted in laughter as he added, “Chalo tum Hanuman Chalisa padho ab ,” clearly poking fun in a humorous, non-aggressive manner.
He then asked the man if he could understand the jokes. When the man replied yes, Gaurav teased, “Toh tumhe samajh nahi aata, nahi milega tumhe? Itne saalon se keh rahe hain nahi milega, phir bhi aa jaate ho.” His comment seemed to lightly reference the long-standing Kashmir issue.
Mixed Reactions from Fans Online
The video quickly drew attention online. Many fans appreciated the comic timing, with comments like “Nahi Milega was brilliant” and “Hanuman Chalisa moment stole the show.” Some applauded Gupta for his balanced approach, saying he handled the roast “gracefully.”
However, not everyone found it funny. Some Instagram users felt it was insensitive, especially considering the current political situation. One user wrote, “Respect the guy who came to watch your show. It’s a sensitive time — this wasn’t necessary.” Another added, “This could have been a moment of unity. Don’t let politics cloud the connection between people.”
Who Is Gaurav Gupta?
Gaurav Gupta is a well-known Indian stand-up comedian celebrated for his jokes on Indian middle-class life and Baniya culture. He rose to fame as a finalist in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2017, judged by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. His popular shows include Not Just Baniya and Market Down Hai, and he continues to perform across India and abroad.
