I want to keep writing love letters to India: Actor-comedian Vir Das

Actor-comedian Vir Das, who has been at the receiving end of severe criticism over his viral “Two Indias” monologue at the Kennedy Centre in Washington recently, says that he will continue to write “love letters to my country”.

Also Read: ‘Don’t be fooled’: Vir Das issues clarification on monologue about India

“A comedian puts out satire and if it’s the good of the country and the bad of the country ending in the good of the country… I think that’s something that you should want to come together in – I can’t expect what happens when I put out a piece of content… It’s jokes. It’s not in my hands,” he told NDTV.

In the  six-minute controversial video, Vir was seen talking about the duality of the country. He also mentioned some of the most topical issues India had been facing including gang-rapes, farmers’ protests and COVID-19.

Soon after the video was out, the actor received hate comments on social media with many even demanding strict action against the stand-up comedian. A complaint was also filed against him for making “derogatory statements against India”. The complaint was lodged with the Mumbai Police by high court lawyer Ashutosh Dubey, who serves as the legal advisor of BJP-Maharashtra Palghar District.

Also Read: Vir Das won’t be allowed to perform in MP, says minister; Oppn questions his silence on Ranaut’s remarks

Even Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut compared his video ‘I come from two Indias’ to ‘soft terrorism’. She also shared an old tweet of the actor-comedian and called him a ‘creepy Indian man’.

Sharing the tweet, Kangana wrote, “Example of creepy Indian man, who is good for nothing so he sells his sleaze for a living to equally creepy and sexist-racist audience.”

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut shares Vir Das’ old tweet, calls him ‘creepy Indian man’

Vir says that he would not let the controversy change anything about the jokes he writes.

“I have made my country laugh for 10 years now. I have devoted my life to writing about my country. We are here at the Emmys because I wrote a love letter to my country. As long as I am able to do my comedy I want to keep writing love letters to my country,” he said.

He has been nominated for an international Emmy for his Netflix show “Vir Das: For India”.