Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Delhi traffic, poor timekeeping and Trump: Trevor Noah hits right note at debut India show

Besides the prepared act, it was Noah’s quick thinking and strong repartee that stole the show for many.

Delhi traffic, poor timekeeping and Trump: Trevor Noah hits right note at debut India show

He came, he saw, he joked. Smiles and laughter filled the jam-packed auditorium of JLN stadium as celebrated stand-up artist Trevor Noah kickstarted the Indian leg of his 'Off The Record' tour in New Delhi.

Performing his debut gig in India, Noah, who grew up in South Africa watching Bollywood movies and admitted to being "immersed in Indian culture", ran out of neither topics nor laughs in an almost two-hour-long show where he covered everything from Indians' idiosyncrasies to world politics and current events to environmental science.


Though he landed in India just days ago, the funny man showcased his astute observational humour when he opened the show making the typical behaviour of Delhiites as the butt of his jokes.

Be it the poor timekeeping where "five minutes never mean five minutes", the indecipherable head nods and hand gestures -- which could mean anything like come, go, stay, ok and more -- or the scariest of all, one which the comedian just couldn't speak enough of, rash driving of Delhiites, Noah shared all his observations with the audience.

"I am not saying that driving in Delhi is like a death wish, but every time I get into a car in Delhi I hope I get where I am going. I have never been this close to people who were not in my car," Noah said and the audience burst into laughter, well aware that the joke was on them.

The former "The Daily Show" host, known for his insightful take on politics and current events worldwide, didn't take long to talk about his favourite subject: US politics and politicians.

He impersonated several former US presidents, including John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and one of his pet peeves Donald Trump, calling them out for having "weird voices".

"Standing for an election in the US? You better have a weird voice," said Noah.

The multiple requests from the audience to discuss Indian politicians, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi was put down by the comedian, who said he doesn't know enough about Modi to talk about him.

GettyImages 1463306302 1 Trevor Noah (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

When someone in the audience asked if he finds any similarities between Trump and Modi, the 39-year-old comedian didn't bat an eyelid and replied, "There is literally no one like Trump on this planet. He is one of its own kind".

That said, he did take suggestions from the audience about any Indian politician they would like him to look up on the internet and know more about. The winner of an impromptu audience poll: Bihar's former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The comedian also gave his two cents about news articles insinuating India changing its name to 'Bharat' and said he is afraid that's going to be hard for the rest of the world with regards to pronouncing the word correctly.

"The tourists would surely struggle for a bit. Take an example of a lady going to your country for a yoga retreat. Now, if someone asks her about the country she is going to, she would be like 'I am going to bha, bha, bha'. Forget it, 'I am going to Bali'," he said to the audience rolling in the aisles. Some dark, rather deadly humour, was also on the offering for the audience as Noah called out the five passengers onboard the ill-fated deep-sea submersible enroute to the century-old wreck of the Titanic for dying in one of the "stupidest ways".

He referred to an old saying in Africa, "Do not chase death and then be shocked about it".

"You have that Titanic wreck at that place for a reason. If you want to watch Titanic, go watch the movie, it is any day a better choice. There is no Leonardo Di Caprio waiting for you down there. When I die, I want people to mourn my death and not judge my death," he said, being both serious and funny in equal proportion.

Be it telling a five-year-old child sitting in the first row to close his ears before every adult joke or funnily extracting information about the love marriage of a couple in the audience married for about 20 years, Noah's fair share of crowd work throughout its act was loved by one and all.

Crowd work, also known as audience work or working the room, is when a comedian engages with the audience during their performance.

Besides the prepared act, it was Noah's quick thinking and strong repartee that stole the show for many.

"I was told that Mumbai is about Bollywood and finance, and Delhi is about politics and power. But sometimes, I guess, the power goes out, " said Noah, as if on cue, soon after a brief instance where some lights on the stage went off.

The 'Off The Record' Indian tour, produced and promoted by BookMyShow 'Live', will be held in the national capital on Saturday and Sunday as well before travelling to Bengaluru on September 27-28 and finally to Mumbai on September 30 and October 1.

More For You

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

‘Harry Potter’ filming in London sparks anger as locals claim no consent for Privet Drive remake

Highlights:

  • A London street has been turned into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series
  • Locals in Upminster say they were not told filming was for the HBO remake
  • Some residents fear being “bombarded with wizards” while others are thrilled
  • Cast includes Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout

A quiet street in east London has been transformed into Privet Drive for the new Harry Potter series, but locals are unhappy they were not properly informed about the filming. Springfield Gardens in Upminster, chosen to double as the boy wizard’s childhood home, has left neighbours divided, with some welcoming the attention while others worry they will be “bombarded with wizards.” The HBO production, part of a major reboot, has already brought cameras, drones and fans to the area.

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout The new Harry Potter series stars Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Justin Bieber at an Indian bride’s wedding in Los Angeles

Justin Bieber makes surprise entry at an Indian bride’s wedding in Los Angeles

Instagram/justinstournews

Justin Bieber shocks guests with wedding surprise for Indian bride in Los Angeles as fans call it the best gift

Highlights

  • Justin Bieber makes unexpected appearance at an Indian wedding in Los Angeles
  • Bride and guests left delighted as the pop star mingled and posed for photos
  • Videos and pictures of the moment spread widely online, with fans praising him
  • The singer recently released his new album Swag featuring multiple collaborations

Pop icon Justin Bieber surprised an Indian bride at her wedding in Los Angeles, turning her big day into an unforgettable celebration. The Justin Bieber wedding surprise quickly spread across social media, with photos and videos showing the star smiling, mingling with guests, and posing with the bridal squad. His warm gesture has been hailed by fans, with many calling it the best wedding gift ever.

Justin Bieber at an Indian bride\u2019s wedding in Los Angeles Justin Bieber makes surprise entry at an Indian bride’s wedding in Los Angeles Instagram/justinstournews

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif

Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain

Instagram/priyankachopra

Farhan Akhtar says ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ will happen but drops bombshell that Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif may exit

Highlights:

  • Farhan Akhtar says Jee Le Zaraa has been delayed but not shelved
  • Significant work including music and location scouting already completed
  • Director cannot confirm if Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif remain attached
  • Project first announced in 2021 as a female-led road trip film

Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has clarified that his highly anticipated film Jee Le Zaraa has not been shelved. Speaking about the much-discussed project, Akhtar said the film is simply “on the back burner” due to scheduling conflicts. The clarification comes after years of speculation that the all-female road trip film, originally announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, might have been abandoned.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif Farhan Akhtar confirms Jee Le Zaraa is not shelved but cast uncertain Instagram/priyankachopra

Keep ReadingShow less
Fifth Harmony comeback 2025
Fifth Harmony reunite on stage in Dallas after seven years
Getty Images

Fifth Harmony stuns Dallas with comeback at Jonas Brothers gig while Camila Cabello performs solo in Sydney

Highlights:

  • Normani, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane and Lauren Jauregui perform together in Dallas
  • Surprise appearance happened during Jonas Brothers’ concert stop in Texas
  • Group’s social media accounts updated with new logo and merchandise
  • Camila Cabello absent as she continues solo tour in Australia

US pop group Fifth Harmony’s reunion has sent fans into a frenzy after the chart-topping girl band returned to the stage for the first time in seven years. Their surprise appearance at a Jonas Brothers concert in Dallas on Sunday, 31 August, also came with new merchandise and updated social media branding, signalling that the quartet may be preparing for a bigger comeback.

Fifth Harmony comeback 2025 Fifth Harmony reunite on stage in Dallas after seven years Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Heidi Klum

Heidi and Leni Klum pose together in co-ordinated Intimissimi gowns at the Venice Film Festival

Instagram/heidiklum

Heidi Klum Venice Film Festival look with daughter Leni reignites criticism over mother-daughter lingerie fashion partnership

Highlights:

  • Heidi Klum and daughter Leni walked the Venice Film Festival red carpet in matching corset-style gowns.
  • The supermodel opted for a blush pink silk design, while Leni wore an inky black version.
  • Both gowns were created by Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi, for which they are ambassadors.
  • The mother-daughter duo previously fronted a controversial campaign for the same brand.

Heidi Klum's Venice Film Festival appearances always generate headlines, but this year she doubled the impact by walking the red carpet with her daughter Leni. The pair stunned in co-ordinated gowns from Italian intimates brand Intimissimi, bringing high fashion and red carpet glamour together in one of the festival’s most talked-about moments. Their matching corset silhouettes highlighted the duo’s modelling credentials and added a striking family twist to the opening night of the prestigious event.

Heidi Klum Heidi and Leni Klum pose together in co-ordinated Intimissimi gowns at the Venice Film Festival Instagram/heidiklum

Keep ReadingShow less