{
  "id": 8819852,
  "title": "'Threats from goon activists': Comedian Pulkit Mani says UP shows cancelled amid row over mimicry of PM Modi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/threats-from-goon-activists-comedian-pulkit-mani-says-up-shows",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T02:18:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/comedian-pulkit-mani-alleges-threats-says-noida-lucknow-kanpur-shows-cancelled-pm-modi-mimicry-row-101789952110066.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Comedian Pulkit Mani announced on Instagram that his scheduled shows in Noida, Lucknow, and Kanpur were cancelled due to threats from goon activists. This decision came after a political controversy was sparked by his mimicry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's \"Chhatron Ki Goonj\" event in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Mani made the announcement in an Instagram post, expressing regret over the cancellation and apologizing for the inconvenience caused.",
  "summary": "In the video shared by the Congress on X, stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani was seen mimicking PM Modi at the 'Chatron Ki Goonj' event in Indore on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Comedian Pulkit Mani cancels shows in Noida, Lucknow, and Kanpur",
    "Threats from goon activists prompt cancellation",
    "Controversy over mimicry of PM Modi sparks row"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The comedian's show cancellations mark a victory for critics who used threats to enforce a boundary on artistic expression, limiting the scope of satire and free speech in the process.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}