New Delhi, March 20, 2026 — A highly popular Instagram reel featuring comedian Pulkit Mani impersonating Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been restricted across India following a government directive under the Information Technology Act. The short video, which had amassed over 16 million views before the block, is no longer accessible to users in the country, displaying a notice that reads: “Post not available in India” with the explanation that access was restricted “pursuant to a notice from ‘The’” (referring to authorities invoking local laws).
The reel, posted by Mani under his Instagram handle #@hunnywhoisfunny# on or around March 18, 2026, consists of sharp political satire. It features the comedian mimicking Modi’s distinctive speaking style, mannerisms, and diplomatic interactions. Users who viewed it before the block describe it as a “masterpiece” with spot-on impressions, including Modi’s signature laugh (“Khi khi khi khi”), exaggerated phrases such as “My preeennn…”, “SAPNA SAPNA”, “Setting my friend”, repetitive “Sure, sure, sure, sure”, and lines like “Maqsood bhai tum bohot achha kaam karta hai” or awkward diplomatic thanks (“Thank you so much for visiting our country… mister Movie”). The skit parodies Modi’s public addresses and international engagements, turning them into humorous exaggeration. Many called the performance “100% accurate” and “epic,” with uncontrollable laughter in comments.
Reposts of the reel quickly went viral, including one by popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, whose version carried the caption: “This reel made by @hunnywhoisfunny was blocked by Modi Govt.” The repost highlighted the block as an example of suppressed “freedom of speech,” noting that praise for Modi faces no issues while criticism triggers action.
Legal Basis and Mechanism
Instagram (Meta) complied with a takedown order issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers the government to block content deemed to threaten sovereignty, public order, or national security. No detailed reasons are publicly provided, and orders remain confidential. The platform’s notice simply cites “local law.” This aligns with amendments to the IT Rules that shorten compliance deadlines for intermediaries to as little as 2–3 hours, under threat of losing legal safe-harbour protection.
Part of a Wider Crackdown
The incident is not isolated. On the night of March 18, 2026 — the same day the reel appears to have been targeted — authorities withheld multiple parody and satire accounts on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Affected handles include @Nehr_who, @DrNimoYadav, @indian_armada, @DuckKiBaat, @ActivistSandeep, @mrjethwani_, and @Doc_RGM. These accounts had posted content mocking Modi’s educational qualifications, foreign policy (including India’s handling of the Israel-Iran conflict), treatment of minorities, and domestic issues such as LPG shortages.
A March 10 investigation by The Hindu revealed a pattern of takedowns targeting satire of the Prime Minister, including animated cartoons, satirical music videos by The Wire, and even AI-generated posts properly labelled as per IT Rules. Accounts critical of the new UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, were also hit. Critics argue the orders violate Supreme Court guidelines from the 2015 Shreya Singhal judgment, which requires reasoned, challengeable blocking orders and prior hearing for affected parties.
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) condemned the March 18 actions as an “alarming escalation” of censorship, calling for transparency, publication of blocking orders, and due process. “Satire and political criticism are being suppressed without explanation,” the organisation stated, urging affected users to report incidents.
Creator Background
Pulkit Mani, a stand-up comedian with a growing YouTube channel (@Pulkitmanistandup), is known for mimicry-based comedy. He has over 26,000 subscribers and releases specials like “Raw Hunny.” His Instagram content frequently features humorous takes on current affairs, and this particular Modi impersonation appears to be one of his most viral pieces before the restriction. A mirror version reportedly remains viewable on YouTube under a channel referenced as “mulk.”
Public Reaction and Free Speech Debate
Social media erupted with outrage. Users on Reddit’s r/indiameme and Instagram comments lamented: “Ek Reel se phat gayi 😂” (One reel and they lost it) and accused the government of hypocrisy. Hashtags such as #ITAct, #WithheldInIndia, #censorship, and #dictatorship trended. Many reposted the content with calls to “share this with twice the intensity now.” Supporters of the block, however, were minimal in public discourse, with some arguing the mimicry crossed into “harassment” territory.
Neither the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology nor the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a statement specifically addressing this reel or the March 18 account blocks.
Implications
The blocking of @hunnywhoisfunny’s reel underscores ongoing tensions between satire, free expression, and government regulation in India. While authorities maintain such actions target content threatening public order, critics view it as a pattern of intolerance toward humour targeting the Prime Minister. As more parody content disappears from Indian users’ feeds while remaining visible globally, questions about digital rights and the chilling effect on comedians and creators continue to grow.
The reel may have been removed from Indian Instagram, but its story — and the mimicry — lives on through mirrors, reposts, and public memory.
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