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Funny man Avdesh Dubey – a hawker who sold toys in trains between Valsad and Surat – was finally released from prison late on Monday evening, 3 June, after Surat’s Commissioner of Police, Satish Sharma, personally intervened.
Avdesh was arrested on Friday, 31 May, by the Railway Police for unauthorised vending and he was sentenced to 10 days in prison and was fined Rs 3,500.
Avdesh’s talent was discovered by Gujarati stand-up comedian Manan Desai in a train in February this year. Manan uploaded the video which showed Avdesh selling toys while cracking political jokes on the train on 23 May, right after the election results were announced.
Avdesh was arrested after the video went viral and Manan immediately started working on Avdesh’s bail plea. However, on Monday, Manan was told that Avdesh’s bail proceedings are already underway.
The Quint also spoke to Satish Sharma, Surat’s Commissioner of Police who said that the department does take such decisions on humanitarian grounds.
The Quint caught up with Avdesh after his release from prison and spoke to him about his occupation, his jail time and his future plans. Avdesh dismissed the gravity of his jail time and said that he has been working in trains since 2005.
“It’s quite normal to get caught in the train selling your wares. However, it was the video that went viral on social media that got everybody’s attention. I want to request the government to bring legal practices such as licenses for hawkers and vendors so that we don’t face similar trouble in future.”
Avdesh said that his jokes were meant to help him make a sale, especially with little children and their parents.
Avdesh expressed his gratitude towards Surat’s Commissioner of Police Satish Sharma and the Surat Police department for expediting his release from prison.
Avdesh wants to grab the opportunity and platform offered by social media and wants to enter the world of stand-up comedy.
“I have struggled a lot in my life and I know how life will be if I return to the train with my old business. I hope any producer or artist watching this can pull me out of this life in the gutters. I want to show my talents to the world and I know I can make them happy with what I have to offer. I can work in movies, act, do stand-up, sing and dance – all I need is an opportunity and support,” Avdesh concluded.
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