Comedian Shyam Rangeela has alleged that Star Plus has refused to air his act mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi recorded for the reality show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, The Wire reported. The video of the act, which was circulated widely on social media, features a guest appearance by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, also mimicked by Rangeela.
“Almost a month after the episode was originally recorded, I got a phone call from the production team of the reality show asking me to shoot a new act because the channel decided to not air the one mimicking Modi and Rahul Gandhi,” the comedian told The Wire. Unlike other contestants who were required to audition, Rangeela had been invited to the show after his mimicry videos attracted attention on social media. Rangeela was told that his act would not be aired because the channel feared it would offend some people and trigger protests, he said.
Rangeela had received a standing ovation from the Laughter Challenge judges Akshay Kumar, Zakir Khan, Mallika Dua and Hussain Dalal at the end of the act. The video has been taken down from YouTube after a copyright claim by Novi Digital Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Star India.
