Meme Rewind 2023: 25 Hilarious Memes That Broke the Desi Internet

January 2023 was just yesterday, right? And with a blink, we are here, bidding our goodbyes to 2023. Where did the entire year go? As Ratna Pathak Shah’s character Savitri hilariously informs Aditi in Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na – “Phone pe beta, phone pe."

To no one’s surprise, we spent an unhealthy amount of time on our smartphones this year too, endlessly scrolling away the days. The byproduct of being glued to rectangular slabs? Memes. We got memes, and plenty of them.

Some memes were hilarious, some downright absurd, and some made us go baingan. As is the yearly tradition around here, we have put together a bunch of memes (in no particular order) for you.

Sit back, relax, the Meme Rewind 2023 is here:

1. Just Looking Like A Wow

Did you read that in her voice? Jasmeen Kaur just knows how to sell ’em salwar suits. Her unique andaaz of uttering “So beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow" went through the complete Internet cycle: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone lip-synced it, Aakash Chopra used it during cricket commentary, and influencer Yashraj Mukhate turned her video into a whole new song.

2. Aayein/Baingan

Aditya Kumar ko kaunsa subject acha lagta hai? (5 Marks).

3. Bhupendra Jogi

Kya naam bataya?

4. Lappu Sa Sachin

Seema Haider, a Pakistani mother of four, crossed the border illegally to unite with Sachin Meena who she met and fell in love with on an online gaming site. While Seema faced rejection from her Pakistani family and friends for challenging societal norms, Sachin’s Indian neighbour was on news for her blunt description of him.

Showing her disapproval of their relationship, the neighbour, while talking to the media, said: “Sachin… kya hai Sachin mein? Lappu sa Sachin hai. (What’s so special about Sachin? Sachin is average.)"

5. Jaldi Wahan Se Hato

When video creator Rohit Singh commentated during a local cricket match, no one had imagined his megaphone-voice would be used as a scooter horn.

(Note: Video contains strong language)

6. Pols Aa Gayi Pols

The phrase ‘pols aa gayi pols’ (police have arrived/ police are chasing us) went viral on social media earlier this year when Punjab Police launched the crackdown on radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh, and his aides.

Internet turned it into a meme.

7. Elvish Bhaaaaaaai

Do you think you’re a stan of Indian YouTuber Elvish Yadav? Think again.

8. Baldev and Thekedaar

Construction worker Baldev almost saw the gates of heavens opening one day at job only to have his “thekedaar", who was recording the act, say: “Kuch nahi hua (Nothing happened)." Fortunately for all of us, Baldev escaped unscathed, thus giving India its new superhero: Baldev The Destroyer.

Gousul Wara Ansari occasionally shares Instagram videos of Baldev in action.

9. Baithne Ka Tarika Thoda Casual Hai

IAS interviewer Vijender Chauhan‘s guidance video found a permanent place in meme community when Mr Chauhan explained the proper sitting posture for UPSC interviews.

Mr Chauhan wasn’t happy that people mocked his pronunciation. The Internet fought back… by mocking him further.

10. Lord Puneet

You may have come across this 15-second video of Puneet Kumar aka Puneet Superstar aka Lord Puneet on a bike, yelling into oblivion. But that was two years ago. Lord Puneet achieved mainstream attention in 2023 during his 1-day stint at the Bigg Boss house.

You’ll find Lord Puneet on Instagram where he occasionally distributes food to the less-fortunate, cleans up streets, gets dirty himself, shares fresh memes, among many things while staying very much consistent to the Lord Puneet brand that had him chucked out of the Bigg Boss house.

11. Ranveer Allahbadia Aggressively Shakes Head

Ranveer Allahbadia aka BeerBiceps’ podcasts have hosted some bougie, high-profile guests. That doesn’t faze Ranveer from asking questions that can only be described as out-of-pocket or straight up whack. However, if his questions don’t make you shake your head, he himself will. Ranveer reallllllly and attentively listens to his guests.

Oh, by the way, Ranveer does know how to take a joke.

12. Yeh Buddha Mere Beech Mein Bahut Bolta Hai

This is from the wild wild west corner of Instagram. If your algo throws up out-of-context clipped videos of these characters, we need to be friends.

13. Haan Dil Vich Tere Liye Time Kadke

Naeem aka IG’s ‘Qureshi Boy’ tried several times to recreate his own masterpiece. He failed each time.

14. Hey Prabhu…

Time for some cleansing.

15. Moye Moye

When Teya Dora, a Serbian singer-songwriter dropped Džanum, little did she know Indians would turn the recurring lyrics ‘Moje More’ that translate to ‘my nightmares’ into ‘Moye Moye‘.

16. Paani Paani Paani

This kid talks in capitals. His mom regularly turns into a Nagin. This is the multiverse of madness Internet was actually created for.

17. Aaj Mood Nahi Kar Raha

This clip of YouTuber-influencer Dhruv Rathee is all of us in December.

18. Ganji Chudail

Ganji Chudail wreaking havoc on unsuspecting residents of a village is a series that deserves a series on Netflix. The hilariously unironical narration and Hollywood-level animation make Ganji Chudail stand out in a crowd of Instagram reels.

19. Aukaat Dikha Di

Aukaat Dikha Di meme ne Google ki top memes ki list mein feature hoke aukaat dikha di.

20. Gopi Bahu

Rasode Mein Kaun Tha? Yashraj Mukhate would perhaps have an answer to that but what we do know is all the episodes of Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, an Indian daily soap, are currently premiering on Instagram. All day, everyday. No, really. Whether it’s the different shades of ‘la la la la la’ tune or AhemJi being a complete jerk to our meek Gopi Bahu, Instagram has become today’s ‘Hotel California’- you can checkout anytime you like, but you can never leave (without watching Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, of course).

21. Rajinikanth Saying Sh*t

Superstar Rajinikanth’s Sivaji: The Boss came out in 2007. A scene from the movie was viral in 2023. 2+0+2+3=7. Thalaiva for a reason.

22. Bhojpuri Dance Off

And off they go.

How did the meme come into being? This video shall give you all the context you may need.

23. Orry

Who is Orry? We have absolutely no data to back this but it was the most Googled question of this year. Orhan Awatramani hangs out with the who’s who of Bollywood and we are jealous. We still don’t know what Orry does. But Orry is everywhere.

24. Thala For a Reason

India is obsessed with cricket. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, donning the jersey no. 7, is its brand ambassador. From captaincy to wicketkeeping prowess to run chases, Dhoni did it all. Thala fans return the love by making Dhoni trend every time Indian cricket team takes to the field.

Now take that obsession to a horizon of randomness where people are connecting Dhoni’s revered (and recently retired) 7 to everything absurd and you get a new meme: Thala for a reason.

25. Inky Pinky Ponky

Understandable, have a nice day.

Did we miss a meme that you liked this year? Refer to meme 15.