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.
“We went to the court on Monday (3 June) where the cops told us that the matter is taken care of. At first I was a little worried, but then I asked some internal sources in the police department, who confirmed that that he will be released soon. When we went to the court to get a certified copy of his judgment, we were told that the process for his bail is already underway,”Manan Desai, Stand-up comedian
The Quint also spoke to Satish Sharma, Surat’s Commissioner of Police who said that the department does take such decisions on humanitarian grounds.
“I have seen the video and I felt that the punishment was too harsh. Usually hawkers are fined for unauthorised vending and no one ever gets jailed. We took the decision and completed the procedure to release him on Monday.”Satish Sharma, Surat Commissioner of Police
‘My Jokes Helped Me Sell Fast’
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.
“I walk into a train and tell children that I’ve got ‘Achhe Din’ for them. When a passenger would say – but Modiji brought Achhe Din – to which I would retort that, Modi brought Achhe din for India I brought Achhe Din for the kids. However, in my act I would always add two lines about Modi, Mulayam Singh, Jio’s Data and Sonia ka Beta (Rahul Gandhi). My intention was only to make people laugh not to hurt anyone’s sentiments.”Avdesh Dubey
Jubilant Avdesh Wants to Explore Comedy
Avdesh expressed his gratitude towards Surat’s Commissioner of Police Satish Sharma and the Surat Police department for expediting his release from prison.
“After I was released from prison I was taken to the commissioner’s office, where Sharma sir made me sit right next to him, while all his officers were standing in the room. He asked me if I had money and then gave me some money from his pocket. He also told me that one of his men will drop me to the railway station and if need be to my home as well. He even gave me his number and said, although ‘I am in Surat, if you need any help from me even in Valsad, you can give me a ring’.Avdesh Dubey
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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