Mimicry at Rahul Gandhi’s event: Comedian cancels three shows due to ‘repeated threats’

Comedian Pulkit Mani announced the cancellation of his upcoming shows in Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur, citing unforeseen circumstances and repeated threats from activists. The cancellations follow controversy over his mimicry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an event alongside Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Comedian Pulkit Mani, who appeared alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at an event in Madhya Pradesh, has announced that his upcoming stand-up shows in Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur have been cancelled due to “repeated threats from goon activists”.

Mani has been at the centre of a huge controversy after he performed mimicry of PM Modi at the opposition leader’s ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ in Indore.

In a post on his Instagram Stories on Monday, the comedian said his Noida show has been called off due “unforeseen circumstances”.

“I regret to inform you that my Noida show has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding and support,” he wrote in the post, which has since disappeared due to Instagram’s 24-hour limit on Stories.

In a follow post, the stand-up comedian announced the cancellation of his Lucknow and Kanpur performances.

“Due to repeated threats from goon activists, my Lucknow and Kanpur shows are cancelled,” Mani posted. In a video shared by the Congress on X on Sunday, Mani was seen mimicking Prime Minister Modi while performing a skit with Gandhi during the event.

In the short act, Mani came on stage laughing and hugged Gandhi. “My friend. How are you?” To this, Gandhi replied, “I’m fine; how are you, Modi ji?” Mani responded, “Great harassment”, and continued laughing while using the phrase “my friend”. Gandhi then said, “Very nice to meet you,” and asked Mani to “tell me more”.

The comedian kept laughing and hugging Gandhi, and then said, “Maa ko kursi do, maa”, pointing toward the audience.

Reacting to the video, the BJP criticised the Congress and said the party had turned into a “circus”.

Since the controversy broke out, Mani has posting screenshots of the hate messages he has been receiving on social media.