MUMBAI: Jerry Seinfeld, legendary comedian and creator of the eponymous hit sitcom “Seinfeld,” is making his way to India. He will be performing two shows at an indoor sports stadium in Mumbai come mid-March.
“I have always been fascinated by India and its culture. I have great respect for its people and their way of life,” Seinfeld said in a statement. “It is a great honor for me to be invited to come there and make fun of it in person.”
The dual shows on March 14 and 15 will be the first time Seinfeld performs in Asia. He is slated to appear as part of India’s Stage42 festival, which will bring up to 150 stand-up comedy routines, theatre performances, and musical acts to seven cities across the nation.
Comedy in the context of free speech has sparked numerous debates in India.
Earlier this month, a right-wing Hindu organization filed a criminal complaint against a comedy troupe calling themselves “All India Bakchod,” claiming members of the comedy group used offensive language during a performance. While no arrests were made, All India Bakchod pulled down videos of the performance in a move that reignited controversy regarding pressures on freedom of speech.
In May 2013, the Indian government punished Comedy Central with a 10-day broadcasting ban for airing material that “offends against good taste and decency,” according to the federal broadcasting ministry. The Delhi High Court eventually lifted the ban after an appeal that argued the ban violated free-speech laws and flew in the face of international protocol.
Tickets for Seinfeld’s Indian shows go on sale February 13. Fans of the stand-up superstar will have to dole out Rs. 7,500, or about $120 in order to land a seat. Each show is set to run for about an hour.
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