In the past couple of years, we have seen the freedom of expression for the press, filmmakers, writers, and artists being significantly curtailed. Critics of the government faced severe consequences. Comedian Munawar Farooqui was jailed for jokes he allegedly planned to tell. Another comedian, Kunal Kamra, has faced numerous FIRs for his criticism of the government. Tanmay Bhatt, co-founder of the comedy group AIB, also faced legal trouble, and AIB had to pull back its famous roast ‘AIB Knockout’ due to backlash.
The web series ‘Tandav’ was not renewed for a second season after its makers faced severe backlash and legal threats over scenes that were deemed offensive to certain groups. Several films have been banned or heavily censored, limiting creative freedom in the film industry.
Press freedom has also hit a low point. India ranks 159 out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom, reported The Hindu. Journalists have been harassed, threatened, and even arrested for their work. This environment created a culture of fear and self-censorship.
However, after this year’s Lok Sabha elections 2024, with a major opposition in place and a coalition government, people have been hoping for the return of political comedy, hard-hitting shows and critical movies – those which disappeared in the past few years.
desperately looking forward to the return of political comedy, hard-hitting shows, and critical movies
— meghnad (Nerds ka Parivaar) (@Memeghnad) June 4, 2024
People are looking forward to thought-provoking standup comedy, political films, and unbiased journalism. Here’s what they have been saying:
Aapke moonh Mein Ghee shakar ❤️ https://t.co/ANd61qEWga
— Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) June 4, 2024
Word. Need more AIBs, need political rap and YouTube channels saying what they want to say 🙂 <3 https://t.co/Dd6AxaWdl1
— Aakash (@screamchand) June 4, 2024
I just want @PrimeVideoIN to come back with Tandav S2 https://t.co/uyGh5LuwqQ
— anian (@whzzckngdlkn) June 4, 2024
Pan- India standup shows ka schedule release kardijiye ab @kunalkamra88 https://t.co/mZemGMku1k
— सरल आदमी (@saralaadmi) June 4, 2024
So am I . https://t.co/Ndq3bk2M8O
— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) June 4, 2024
Let’s crowdfund this!! https://t.co/tFE8g71Vhc pic.twitter.com/HKXn60mdu6
— Sam pitroda fan account (@doug_1399) June 4, 2024
fawad Khan and Atif aslam vapas aaja bhai https://t.co/EcfV5p3kKQ
— Shavy Jain (@shavyjain7) June 5, 2024
And some more politically mature content on Kashmir and Kashmiris, it has been a dead scene in Bollywood since Haider. Only Hamid and Shikara come to mind. https://t.co/Vo0F1HhYTy
— Roohdar X (@RoohdarX10094) June 4, 2024
@munawar0018 Can’t wait for Politics in India 3 and those thought provking and satirical tweets #MunawarFaruqui https://t.co/ErEmucHtfW
— Cassandra333 (@Cassandra3335) June 5, 2024
Seems like times are about to change, people! 🙂