“ | Hi, Greg! I've returned from halfway around the world. And I see that you're even further than that from Holly Hills. I guess your unappealing older brother was right about you. You have no game. | ” |
— Chirag Gupta's snide remark to Greg Heffley that started the joke |
The Invisible Chirag joke was a gag played by Greg Heffley and other students where they pretend as if Chirag Gupta was invisible and hence the name.
History[]
Rodrick Rules[]
In Rodrick Rules, the joke was started by Greg unprovoked after Chirag moved back. At lunch, Greg teases Chirag further by eating a cookie in front of him, claiming that he would've given it to him if he were "here." The next day in science class, Greg counts every student but Chirag, deliberately ignoring his protests. Greg defends himself, stating that he's smaller than 95% of the kids and that the joke was inspired by Susan Heffley who once pretended to not see Greg under the kitchen table. [1]
The joke finally stopped when Greg was forced to apologize to Chirag's dad. After lying to Susan about his involvement, she mandated that Greg acted more honestly.
The Last Straw[]
It was mentioned in The Last Straw when Greg talked about Chirag not wanting a repeat of the prank when the former and their classmates tried to trick the latter into thinking he lost his hearing.
Rodrick Rules (2011 film)[]
In the film, the gag began when Chirag returns from his trip to India and made a snide remark to Greg about the latter's chances with Holly Hills. Greg begins the joke to spite him with their classmates laughing. The game begins with Chirag declaring Greg outmatches him physically but not mentally. The whole school gets in on it and Chirag attempts to get Greg and Rowley to acknowledge his existence with Rowley taking a corndog from Chirag. Greg saves the act by declaring there is a flying corndog and proceeds to eat it, much to everyone's amusement. The joke later ended when Chirag pretended to be Holly and sent Greg a fake note from her to come to the art room. Greg gets caught off guard and acknowledges Chirag to recognize him in front of witnesses and humiliating Greg. The joke was made throughout the school year and ended before Plainview's Most Talented.
Online[]
The origins of the joke came from Chirag's dad not accepting a job in California, otherwise it plays out the same as the book.[2]

There is however, one extra scene that was left out in the book. The teacher assigned Chirag to be lab partners with Greg and Giles Hugglestone. When Chirag started to dissect the frog, Greg and Giles pretend the frog was dissecting itself. Much to Chirag annoyance, he cared more about his grade and did all the work.[3]
The corndog in the floating corndog scene was originally a Twinkie.[4]
The joke ended when Chirag successfully bribed Rowley with more Twinkies and brought a copy of Twisted Wizard 2 for Greg.[5]
Trivia[]
- In The Last Straw, Greg stated that the prank was from last year when he referred back to it, which may have come of as The Last Straw taking place in the next school year after Rodrick Rules. Though, it is possible he really meant during the last few months of the previous calendar year which was the timeframe the first semester covers most or all of.
- In the film adaptation of Rodrick Rules, Chirag took the invisible joke as a game to challenge Greg and ultimately wins, turning the tables on Greg. Whereas, in the book, Chirag gets upset and his father forces Greg to apologize and end the joke.
Appearances[]
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (online)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (Mentioned)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011 film)
Gallery[]
Online[]
Rodrick Rules[]
Rodrick Rules (2011 film)[]
References[]
- ↑ Rodrick Rules, pages 52-62
- ↑ Diary of a Wimpy Kid (online), pages 328-329
- ↑ Diary of a Wimpy Kid (online), page 355
- ↑ Diary of a Wimpy Kid (online), pages 372-376
- ↑ Diary of a Wimpy Kid (online), pages 413-418