'Happening on the floor of Parliament?' Vir Das reacts to Abhishek Banerjee's ‘Two Indias’ reference in Lok Sabha

Actor-comedian Vir Das on Tuesday reacted after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee referenced his 2021 stand-up monologue Two Indias during a speech in the Lok Sabha on the Union Budget 2026-27.

In a video posted on social media, Vir responded to Banerjee’s remarks, appearing surprised that his comedy special had been cited on the floor of Parliament. “In Parliament you…? Uh huh, where? Oh, crap. I am sorry, this is happening on the floor of Parliament? Don’t do it,” he said. Referring to Banerjee’s description of the monologue, Vir added, “Some people laughed… some were offended? Who? Who paused to listen? On the floor of Parliament?”

Banerjee had described the monologue as a “warning” and a “prophecy”. Reacting to this, Vir said, “That’s what every single newspaper said that it wasn’t. I’m sorry, you got a warning. No, I got a warning. Many warnings. A prophecy? In Parliament? No, it felt like broken glass.” He also joked about the backlash he faced in 2021, saying, “It was hiding in my house for a really long time.”

Vir ended the video by announcing his international tour Hey Stranger, saying, “I’m leaving the country. I’m actually going on a world tour, and this feels like a really good time to announce it.”

Banerjee responded to Vir’s post on X, writing: “Ah, the beauty of two Indias — in one, a comedian is questioned for talking about the ‘TWO INDIA’ divide. In the other, the same debate becomes the perfect PR for a tour announcement. Democracy does have a sense of humour. Wishing you house full shows and a smashing tour ahead the virdas.”

Earlier in Parliament, Banerjee had cited Two Indias while criticising the BJP-led Centre, saying the Budget reflected a divided country and that Das’s monologue was “not comedy” but “a mirror held up to a nation standing at the edge of its own contradictions.”