Comedian Madhur Virli apologizes over assault joke backlash

A two-year-old standup comedy clip featuring Delhi-based comedian Madhur Virli has resurfaced online, triggering widespread condemnation for its jokes about sexual assault and murder. The controversy erupted in mid-June 2026, intensifying an ongoing public debate about ethics and accountability in Indian comedy.

The clip, from Virli's 2024 show "Love Latex," features a routine in which he hypothesizes about a perpetrator's mindset. A specific line that drew severe backlash suggested a murder might occur if, after an assault, the victim asked the perpetrator, "What, won't you cuddle me after this?" Virli followed this with a punchline about cuddling with a knife. Later in the set, he compared the experiences of assault victims and murder victims, stating, "No dead body has ever said that assault might have been better."

Social media users and public figures criticized the material for trivializing sexual violence and causing distress to survivors. The hashtag #BanRapeJokes gained traction online. Reality show star Uorfi Javed reacted strongly on Instagram, questioning why such jokes are made and suggesting male comedians hire women on their teams to gain sensibility.