From courting controversy in the USA to becoming the first Indian to host the 52nd Annual International Emmy Awards 2024, Comedian Vir Das delivered a memorable performance as the recently held ceremony. With his suave take on different things making the headlines, Vir kept the show going with his unique style. Vir Das started his monologue by making a tongue-in-cheek reference to immigration quipping, "It is very good to be here completely legally. I'm not a citizen. It's a very quick visit, in and out. I was just here to vote."
With a mix of humor, cultural commentary, and playful jabs at both Hollywood and American politics, his opening remarks set the tone as he greeted the star-studded audience of international TV professionals. Organised by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the awards honour the best TV shows produced outside the US. India’s ‘The Night Manager’, starring Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapoor, and Sobhita Dhulipala, was also nominated in the Drama Series category. Unfortunately, they lost the award to ‘Drops of God’.
Vir offered a cheeky warning about the 30-second speech limit for award winners, saying , “If you win an award tonight, you only have 30 seconds on this stage, and that is more than enough time to congratulate the people that you love, if not pleasure them. Please do not come up on this platform and say anything divisive, offensive, or inflammatory because this is America, and you will be elected. Sorry. Ejected.”
His comedic approach to cultural issues continued as he humorously acknowledged the stereotype of Indian actors being typecast in Hollywood, joking about being cast as “Doctor
Raj, Lawyer Raj, Engineer Raj” in American productions.
Hailing from Mumbai, Vir made history as he bagged the International Emmy Awards 2023 in the Best Comedy category for ‘Vir Das Landing’. Vir Das made history as he bagged the International Emmy Awards 2023 in the Best Comedy category for Vir Das Landing. He said, “The first time I came here I was a nominee. The next time I won an award. Now I’m the host. Next year, I think I will just be the trophy.”
Joking about Hollywood’s tendency to remake international films, he added, "We tell the original diverse international stories that Hollywood remakes into cash cows with Kevin Hart and Liam Neeson." He went on to refer to the infamous
Will Smith Oscars slap and added, “What do you think? Who does Will Smith have to slap tonight for us to get some eyeballs, guys?”
45-year-old Vir took a jab at Musk’s potential role in the US government, “You have picked someone to lead you, to make all of your decisions and be the most powerful person in the world, and I think you chose well. Yes, he says erratic things, but he's intelligent, successful, and an amazing businessperson. Guys, Elon Musk is a legend. Technically it's self-driving, but ultimately, I have control.”
“In 72 hours, we will all meet together at the security line at JFK… and if you have an International Emmy in your hand, enjoy the two-hour cavity search that follows,” he concluded his monologue at the glitz event.