Bhardwaj, who returned to India on May 5, shared details of the incident through a series of posts on Instagram, describing the experience as one of the most challenging periods of his life.
Comedy reel triggered legal trouble
The controversy began in March when Bhardwaj uploaded a comedy reel joking about Google Maps allegedly malfunctioning in Dubai.
The video referenced GPS disruptions that had reportedly been linked to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving the United States and Iran.
According to Bhardwaj, the video was intended as a light-hearted joke and was not meant to cause offence or raise security concerns.
However, on March 19, while preparing for a comedy show in Dubai, he said he received a call from Dubai Police directing him to report to their headquarters.
‘Authorities did not find it funny’
Bhardwaj said the situation escalated unexpectedly after authorities reviewed the video.
“It was a harmless, dumb reel — but the authorities did not find it funny. I was detained and arrested as a perceived national security threat, and I spent 47 days in a detention centre,” he said.
The comedian said he was held in custody for nearly seven weeks before eventually being deported to India.
‘Drained us physically and emotionally’
Reflecting on the experience, Bhardwaj said the detention had a profound impact on both him and his family.
“Returned to India on May 5. It wasn’t easy at all for me or my family — it drained us physically, emotionally, and to some extent, financially,” he wrote.
He described the detention facility as overcrowded and poorly maintained, adding that the uncertainty surrounding his case made the experience particularly difficult.
Back on stage after return to India
Since returning to Mumbai, Bhardwaj has resumed performing and said the support he received from fellow comedians and audiences helped him recover from the ordeal.
“I’m back on track now, and thankfully, so is my family. Mumbai has been kind to me, and I got back on stage much sooner than I expected,” he said.
The comedian added that returning to live performances had helped restore a sense of normalcy after weeks of uncertainty.
Looking ahead
Bhardwaj said he now plans to relocate to Bengaluru, where he began his stand-up comedy career 16 years ago, and focus on new creative projects.
While expressing optimism about the future, he said the incident highlighted how seemingly innocuous content can have serious consequences when it intersects with sensitive geopolitical issues.
Dubai authorities have not publicly commented on Bhardwaj’s claims or released an official statement regarding the alleged detention and deportation.