Stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi’s Lucknow shows were canceled by the police following a complaint from the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission over alleged indecent language in his past performances.
Anubhav Singh Bassi’s Lucknow stand-up shows were canceled over concerns of indecent language and law & order issues after a complaint from the UP State Women’s Commission.
Stand-up comedian and actor Anubhav Singh Bassi’s Lucknow shows were abruptly canceled by the police, citing law and order concerns after receiving a letter from the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission. The commission had urged authorities to prevent performances that allegedly “malign women”, leading to the denial of necessary permissions for the event.
The controversy was sparked by a letter from UP State Women’s Commission vice-chairperson Aparna Yadav to DGP Prashant Kumar, dated February 14. In her statement, she expressed concerns over Bassi’s use of inappropriate language in previous performances. She specifically called for authorities to ensure that “neither any indecent words nor any undignified comments are made on women”, and in case of non-compliance, such shows “should be canceled and not permitted in the future if possible.”
Anubhav, known for his role in Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, was originally scheduled to perform in Lucknow at 3 PM and 7 PM on February 15 at Indira Gandhi Pratisthan. However, ACP Radha Raman Singh confirmed that the organizers were denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to potential security risks. Officials feared the possibility of protests or disruptions, making it a law and order issue.
While Bassi has yet to respond publicly, the decision has divided opinions online. On platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), some users criticized the move, calling it the “worst decision” and warning that genuine comedians would now suffer due to recent controversies. Others supported the cancellation, arguing that “it’s time such jokes be banned.”
The development follows the recent controversy surrounding influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, who faced backlash for making an inappropriate joke on Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent show. His comments, along with those of Apoorva Mukhija, Ashish Chanchlani, and others, sparked legal trouble, leading to multiple complaints and Mumbai police investigations.
Following the outrage, Ranveer claimed he was receiving death threats, while his mother’s clinic was stormed by individuals posing as clients. Meanwhile, Apoorva Mukhija’s friends revealed that she had been subjected to rape threats on social media. The controversy even prompted Ashish Chanchlani to cancel a planned screening of Captain America: Brave New World.
