Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Pulkit Mani’s Modi Mimicry Sparks Political Row In Indore
Pulkit Mani is a comedian who imitates well-known people.
At a Congress event in Indore, he acted like Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Rahul Gandhi joined the skit.
Mani copied Modi’s voice, gestures and some familiar phrases.
Videos of the performance spread online and caused a political argument.
BJP leaders said the act was disrespectful and criticised Congress for allowing it.
Mani is also known online as Hunny and has made comedy videos about politics and public figures.
He previously worked as a French teacher and later became a full-time comedian.
After the controversy, he said some of his shows had been cancelled, although reports gave different details about the cancellations.
Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani impersonated Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj event in Indore on September 19, 2026.
The routine exaggerated Modi’s gestures, speech patterns, diplomatic hugs, “my friend” phrase and interactions involving an elderly woman.
BJP leaders criticised the performance and Congress, while Gandhi was seen laughing and engaging with Mani on stage.
Mani, also known as Hunny or @hunnywhoisfunny, began performing professionally around 2021 after working as a French teacher and translator.
Following the controversy, Mani announced show cancellations in Noida, and later in Lucknow and Kanpur; reports differed on the stated reasons.
- Who
- Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani performed with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi; BJP leaders criticised the act.
- What
- Mani performed a political satire routine impersonating Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- When
- The Indore performance took place on September 19, 2026; show cancellations were announced afterward.
- Where
- The performance occurred at the Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Indore, India; cancelled shows were scheduled in Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur.
- Why
- The performance triggered criticism because BJP leaders viewed its jokes and references to Modi as disrespectful.
Political Satire
BJP Criticism
Meaning of the performance
Political Satire
The routine was presented as political comedy using mimicry, exaggerated mannerisms and references to Modi’s public interactions.
BJP Criticism
BJP leaders described the routine as disrespectful, uncouth and an example of cheap political theatre involving the prime minister and an elderly woman.
Congress’s role
Political Satire
Rahul Gandhi interacted with Mani and was seen laughing during the skit; Congress-linked accounts shared footage of the performance.
BJP Criticism
BJP leaders blamed Gandhi and Congress for allowing the performance and characterised the party as a circus or a party of comedians and jokers.
Show cancellations
Political Satire
Mani said the Noida cancellation was due to unforeseen circumstances and later said the Lucknow and Kanpur shows were cancelled because of repeated threats from activists.
BJP Criticism
The reports establish that cancellations followed the controversy but provide differing accounts of their scope and reasons; no opposing BJP explanation for the cancellations was reported.
- Profession
- Stand-up comedian and digital content creator
- Online identities
- Hunny and @hunnywhoisfunny
- Performance
- Modi impersonation at Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj event
- Stand-up career
- Reportedly active professionally since around 2021
- Previous work
- French teacher at a Noida school and translator
- Stand-up special
- Raw Hunny, released on YouTube in February 2026
- Meta dispute
- Meta told the Delhi High Court that it had restored two Instagram reels after copyright complaints
- Show cancellations
- Reports mentioned Noida, and separately Lucknow and Kanpur; reasons cited included unforeseen circumstances and alleged threats
