Swati Sachdeva's Stand-Up Comedy Sparks Controversy: Viral Joke Triggers Backlash

Stand-up comedian Swati Sachdeva is at the center of a heated controversy after a joke from her recent performance went viral on social media. The clip, extracted from her solo show ‘So Rude of Me,’ features Swati humorously recounting an incident where her mother discovered a vibrator in her room. While the audience at the live event responded with laughter, the joke did not sit well with netizens, many of whom accused her of promoting obscenity and disrespecting family values.

The Joke That Sparked Outrage

In the video, Swati describes her mother’s attempt to be a ‘cool mom’ but struggling with the situation. She narrates how her mother hesitated to say the word “vibrator,” fearing it might accidentally turn on. The punchline that caused the most stir was when Swati jokingly remarked, “Ye pakka mera vibrator udhaar maangne vali hai” (She [mother] is definitely going to ask to borrow my vibrator). Swati then humorously diffused the awkward moment by telling her mother that the device actually belonged to her father.

While this routine was meant to add humour to an awkward situation, many social media users found it offensive. Critics claimed that making jokes about parents in such a manner was distasteful and degrading to Indian family culture.

"Mummy pakka mera vibrator udhaar maangne vaali hain"

Samay Raina & Ranveer Allahabadia par to kaafi kaaryavaahi ho gayi. Inke upar bhi hogi kya ?pic.twitter.com/lbkWk0OXg2

— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) March 28, 2025

 Social Media Uproar

As the clip circulated online, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. Some users slammed Swati for incorporating adult humour into her performance, while others accused her of disrespecting parental relationships. A user commented, “Feminism k karan bach jaigi bechari” (She will escape criticism just because of feminism). Another wrote, “This is not stand-up comedy, this is deteriorating family culture.” Others expressed disappointment over the trend of comedians frequently resorting to controversial topics, particularly involving parents and sexuality, to get laughs.

Comedy and Controversy: A Growing Trend?

The backlash against Swati Sachdeva comes in the wake of another major controversy involving YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia and comedian Samay Raina. In a recent episode of India’s Got Latent, hosted by Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia faced legal trouble for posing an inappropriate question to a contestant, leading to multiple FIRs against him. The incident, in which he asked whether the contestant would watch their parents have sex daily for the rest of their lives or join once to stop it forever, sparked widespread outrage.

As the controversy continues to escalate, Swati Sachdeva has yet to publicly respond. While some fans continue to support her humour and freedom of expression, others argue that stand-up comedians must exercise caution when making jokes about sensitive topics. The debate over what constitutes acceptable comedy in India remains ongoing, highlighting the fine line between humour and offense in the ever-evolving landscape of stand-up comedy.