Comedian and actor Harsh Gujral recently recounted a humorous incident regarding the perceived decline in crime rates in Uttar Pradesh.
An old video from the UP Creators Summit & Awards 2026, featuring Gujral alongside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has resurfaced, capturing the comedian sharing this amusing anecdote.
During his speech, Gujral narrated, “I was in Lucknow for a show and went for a walk. I asked a banana vendor about the crime rate in UP. He confidently stated that it had diminished significantly. When I inquired how he was so certain, he replied, ‘I’m a criminal myself, but I’m not selling bananas anymore!’ Thank you, Uttar Pradesh Rocks!” The quip visibly entertained CM Adityanath.
While Gujral’s story offered a lighthearted perspective, official data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows a more complex picture. Uttar Pradesh’s registered crime rate, which was 225.3 cases per lakh population in 2016, saw fluctuations, peaking at 335.3 in 2023. Despite this, the state’s crime rate in 2023 remained below the national average of 448.3.
Beyond comedy, Harsh Gujral made his Bollywood debut in ‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’, a romantic comedy released on February 21, 2025, starring Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Rakul Preet Singh, where he played a supporting role.