Comedians stage silent comeback

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 5

When “Kashmiri Kalkharabs” (hotheaded Kashmiris) uploaded their first video on the social media after six long months on Monday, they got a rousing welcome from netizens.

Their satirical video, titled “VPNN tull tension”, dealt with the way Internet-deprived people were using virtual private networks (VPNs) after the restoration of the 2G service on January 25.

Since the broadband and 4G services continue to remain suspended for the past six months, the videos have become more popular among many Kashmiris living abroad. “I am missing you guys!! Lots of love from Canada,” wrote Mudabir Abdullah on the YouTube channel of “Kashmiri Kalkharabs”.

Started in December 2017, videos of “Kashmiri Kalkharabs” would revolve round characters like the famous Kashmiri “manzimyore” (middleman who fixes marriages) or a fake “pir” (baba), besides other contemporary stuff. “Our first video (in December 2017) got an overwhelming response by getting over five lakh views. This encouraged us and now we have made a dozen of videos. Moreover, we only seen death and destruction…at least we spread some humour and also give a social message,” said Yawar Ahmad from the “Kashmiri Kalkharbas”. While their latest video has so far got around 50,000 views, a new video “2G Internet And VPN” by yet another group of YouTube stars “Kashmiri Rounders” managed to get over 1,58,000 views in a couple of days.

“Missed you guys,” wrote a follower, while another said the video of “Kashmiri Rounders” was reducing the stress levels of people. “Watching from Ambala … I am in medical college you people reduce my stress level, but missing you people for last six months … May almighty bless you people and our Kashmir,” wrote Ahsu Dar. Postpaid mobile service was restored on October 14, 2019, after around 70 days, but limited access 2G service was restored only from January 25 this year with access only to 301 “white-listed websites” and no access to social media. Broadband and 4G services continue to remain suspended.