Actor-comedian Vir Das made history as the first Indian to host the prestigious International Emmys in New York. His opening monologue, filled with sharp wit and humor, drew attention as he poked fun at various topics, including OTT giants, Elon Musk, and actor Will Smith.

During the ceremony, which took place at the New York Hilton Midtown, Vir began by humorously addressing his Indian accent, acknowledging how it can sometimes be difficult for others to understand. He joked about his brief trip to the U.S., saying, "It is very good to be here completely legally. I'm not a citizen; it's a very quick visit, in and out. I was just here to vote."

Vir's monologue also took aim at Hollywood's portrayal of Indian characters. He shared a humorous anecdote about the typical roles Indians are offered, stating, "The only Indian name Americans know is Raj." He added, "I’ve been offered doctor Raj, lawyer Raj, banker Raj, engineer Raj. I once got offered a guy from England literally named British Raj. I didn’t take the part. I want to keep my diamonds."

In a playful jab at Will Smith's infamous Oscar slap incident, Vir quipped, "Who does Will Smith have to slap tonight for us to get some eyeballs, guys?" He also mocked the U.S. government's imposition of sanctions on countries like Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia, joking, "We're foreigners. You can't slap foreigners with anything but sanctions."

Vir also lightheartedly referenced tech mogul Elon Musk, who had recently been tapped by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. "You think Elon Musk looks at the presidency the same way he looks at Tesla’s? Is that, yeah, technically it's self-driving, but ultimately, I have control," he said, making light of Musk's reputation for erratic statements and business decisions.

The 2024 International Emmy Awards ceremony showcased a range of global talents, with Vir Das as the host. Among the notable attendees was the team behind The Night Manager, including showrunner Sandeep Modi and actor Aditya Roy Kapoor, who were nominated in the Drama Series category.

Vir Das, known for his humor and sharp commentary, also won an Emmy for his Netflix show Landing in 2023. His hosting debut at the Emmys, with its witty remarks and cultural commentary, was a moment of pride for Indian talent on the global stage.