Can t mimic Modi, Rahul, Indian comedian told

New Delhi Oct 26 (IANS) Comedian Shyam Rangeela a contestant on a laughter show on Indian television says he was asked to avoid mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi -- something he considers his forte.

"The Great Indian Laughter Challenge" is aired on Star Plus. Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is the Super Judge.

"I got a chance to be a part of this show because of my mimicry. But when I gave my first performance while mimicking Modiji and Rahul (Gandhi) I was informed to do some other act. Then I was informed that I can t do the Modi act and can mimic Rahul.

"So I started making another script. But after a few days I was again told not to mimic Rahul also. In the end I performed the same script in my own voice - with just two days rehearsals and got eliminated " Rangeela told IANS over phone.

The comedian is from Rajasthan. He says it was his "big dream" to be a part of such a big platform but it turned out to be a "nightmare" as they didn t give him the freedom to perform what he was chosen for.

His performance mimicking Modi came into discussion when comedian Mallika Dua a former judge of the show raised concern regarding Akshay s remark at her by sharing a video.

The video was reportedly a leaked portion of an episode shoot held around a month ago and it was never aired by channel Star Plus.

It showcases Mallika s fellow judge Zakir Khan telling Akshay that they will also accompany him to ring a bell as a mark of appreciation for Rangeela for the Modi act.

That s when Akshay says "Mallikaji Aap bell bajao main aap ko bajata hun (You ring the bell I will bang you)."

Mallika and her journalist father Vinod Dua on Wednesday condemned the comments and asked Akshay to apologize.

--IANS
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