Who is Pulkit Mani? Stand-up comedian at center of Rahul Gandhi-Modi mimicry | Today’s news
Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani sparked a massive political row with his PM Modi impersonations when he performed a skit with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the latest edition of the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj event in Indore’ on Saturday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) criticized the Congress over the event and said the party had turned into a “party of jokers” and a “circus”. Rahul Gandhi called the saffron party after the event ‘Asanskari at once fufa’.
What is the dispute about?
In a video shared by Congress on X, Pulkit Mani is seen impersonating Prime Minister Modi during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Indore on Saturday.
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In a short act, Mani came on stage laughing and embraced Gandhi. “My friend. How are you?” To this Gandhi replied, “I am fine; how are you, Modi ji?” Mani replied, “Big harassment” and kept laughing while using the phrase “my friend”. Gandhi then said, “Very nice to meet you,” and asked Mani to “say more.”
The comedian kept laughing and hugging Gandhi and then said, “Maa ko kursi do, maa” and pointed to the audience. I am reacting to a political skit, Union Minister Piyush Goyal wrote on X: “Asanskari at once fufa (uncultured disaffected uncle).”
“The irony writes itself. The need to come on stage every now and then just to drag PM Modi ji’s name into cheap political theater never ceases to amaze me,” Goyal said, asking Gandhi to “look in the mirror.”
BJP calls Congress party of jokers
“Chhatron Ki Goonj” is a student outreach program run by the Congress that showcases Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with the youth.
The program was held in several cities. The Indore edition was held on 19 September 2026 where Rahul Gandhi interacted with students and heard their concerns.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju attacked Gandhi and said, “I did not imagine that a party which had been in power for nearly six decades would turn into such a circus, busy entertaining its own shriveled supporters.”
Indians are proud that PM Modi is the world’s “most popular” elected leader, he said.
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“Congress party has become a party of comedians and pranksters! They are out forever…RIP,” said Rijiju.
BJP National General Secretary Smriti Irani wrote further in Hindi
Who is Pulkit Mani?
Pulkit Mani is a stand-up comedian who is known for impersonating public figures. Its content includes political satire, impersonations of public figures and observational comedy. Pulkit Mani, known for his satire and commentary on current affairs, has recently become famous for mimicking PM Modi’s mannerisms.
Pulkit Mani’s Instagram account @hunnywhoisfunny has about 610,000 followers. His first half-hour stand-up special “Raw Hunny” was released on YouTube in February 2026. Mani has been a stand-up comedian since 2021.
Pulkit Mani was in news earlier when Meta removed two of his reels, including a portion of “Raw Hunny”, following copyright complaints.
Before becoming a stand-up comedian, Pulkit Mani worked as a French teacher in a school in Noida and also did translation work, according to media reports based on Profile on LinkedIn with the same name.
Shows cancelled
After the latest series, Pulkit Mani took to Instagram on Sunday to announce that his shows in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur have been cancelled.
After the latest series, Pulkit Mani took to Instagram on Sunday to announce that his shows in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur have been cancelled.
“I regret to inform you that my Noida show has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and support,” he said.
Irony writes itself. The need to come on stage every now and then just to drag PM Modi ji’s name into cheap political theater never ceases to amaze me.
In the following statement on Instagram, the comedian said, “Due to repeated threats from crazy activists, my Lucknow and Kanpur shows are cancelled.
