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Last Updated: February 16, 2025, 20:43 IST
Stand-up Comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi’s Shows in Lucknow Cancelled Amid Indecent Language Allegations
Stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi has had his shows in Lucknow canceled due to concerns stemming from a complaint filed by the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission regarding the use of indecent language in his past performances.
The cancellation of Bassi’s shows was enacted by police after they received a formal letter from the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission which highlighted the potential for law and order issues, prompting them to revoke the necessary permissions for the events.
This situation unfolded following a letter written by Aparna Yadav, the vice-chairperson of the UP State Women’s Commission, directed to DGP Prashant Kumar on February 14. In the correspondence, Yadav raised alarm over Bassi’s previous use of what she described as inappropriate language, insisting that it was crucial for authorities to ensure respect for women and to prevent any indecent remarks. She emphasized that any such performances should be prohibited moving forward if they do not comply with these standards.
Bassi, who recently appeared in the film Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, was set to perform twice on February 15 at Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, with shows scheduled at 3 PM and 7 PM. However, ACP Radha Raman Singh confirmed that the organizers were unable to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to anticipated security threats, as officials were concerned about possible protests or disruptions tied to the show.
Though Bassi has not yet made a public statement regarding the cancellation, the incident has ignited a heated debate online. Reactions have varied widely on social media platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), where some users condemned the decision as detrimental to comedic expression, while others voiced support for the cancellation, asserting that such humor should be prohibited entirely.
This event is part of a broader pattern of controversy within the entertainment industry, particularly following comments made by influencer Ranveer Allahbadia on the show India’s Got Latent. Allahbadia has faced significant backlash for inappropriate jokes, which led to multiple complaints and investigations by the Mumbai police, highlighting an escalating scrutiny of comedic content.
Following the backlash from his comments, Allahbadia reported receiving death threats, and incidents at his mother’s clinic involved individuals posing as clients to confront her. Similarly, Apoorva Mukhija, another influencer, also became a target of severe online harassment, including receiving threats of violence. In light of these events, fellow comedian Ashish Chanchlani chose to cancel a planned screening of Captain America: Brave New World, further illustrating the impact that these controversies have had on the comedy community.
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