Mumbai: Actor and stand-up comedian Vir Das on Wednesday expressed surprise and a touch of irony after his 2021 “Two Indias” monologue was referenced in Parliament during a debate on the Union Budget 2026-27.
On February 10, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, while critiquing the BJP-led central government’s budget and highlighting deepening inequalities, invoked Das’s viral performance from November 2021 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D C. Banerjee described the routine as more than mere comedy, calling it “a warning, a prophecy, a mirror held up to a nation standing at the edge of its own contradictions.” He quoted parts of the monologue, noting how “many laughed, and some were offended,” before adding that “few paused to listen,” and emphasised that he too comes from “two Indias.”
Vir responded by posting a video that intercut clips of Banerjee’s Lok Sabha speech with his own deadpan, satirical commentary. Seemingly stunned that his act was being discussed in Parliament, he repeatedly questioned, “In Parliament? Really? This is happening on the floor of Parliament? Don’t do it.”
Reacting to the term “warning,” he added, “No, I got a warning. Many warnings,” referring to the backlash he faced after the original performance.
In PARLIAMENT? Really? This happened last night. pic.twitter.com/6QuMcGIsg2
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) February 11, 2026
Vir’s ‘Two Indias’ monologue received a standing ovation abroad but triggered significant backlash in India, with multiple complaints filed against him for allegedly insulting the country. While some public figures criticised him, others came out in his support. Vir had then refused to apologise.
Most recently, he directed, co-produced and starred in ‘Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos’, released on January 16.
