Freedom of speech just ain’t free: Vir Das on receiving 13 legal notices and an HC hearing over jokes

By Purvi Jain

Comedian-actor Vir Das feels that freedom of speech is not “free” in India. On Wednesday, he shared with his followers that he has been served 13 legal notices since the beginning of this year.

Vir Das took to his Instagram and wrote, “here’s a funny story. Since the beginning of the year, I have 13 legal notices and a High court hearing over jokes. Jokes. Literally jokes. Lawyers, fees, meetings, time. Freedom of speech definitely exists…. It just not free.”

“first time?” commented comedian Rohan Joshi in a reaction to his post.

To this, Vir Das replied sarcastically: “hahah I know. Not first but costliest. This s**t adds up.”

Delhi High Court had dismissed the plea in May, seeking an interim stay on streaming of his latest web series called “Hasmukh”.

The stay was sought out after the allegations popped up that the show makes derogatory comments against the lawyers, pointedly in the fourth episode of the first season called “Bambai Main Bambu”.

Actor-comedian Vir Das will be next seen in Kamal Haasan’s upcoming film ‘Sabhash Naidu’.