Indian comedians just can’t catch a break, can they? First, it was Samay Raina and the India’s Got Talent fiasco, and now Kunal Kamra has found himself in the eye of yet another storm! The stand-up comedian is making headlines for his latest musical jab at Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde – reworking Bholi Si Surat (from Dil To Pagal Hai) into a political parody. Shiv Sena didn’t find it funny. Now, celebs like Jaya Bachchan, Hansal Mehta, and Kangana Ranaut have joined the drama club, each voicing their take on the controversy.
Bollywood reacts on Kunal karma VS Politicians controversy
Hansal Mehta Backs Kamra
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta wasted no time in calling out the backlash against Kamra, revealing that he himself had been through a déjà vu moment two decades ago. Taking to X, Mehta recalled how, back in the day, loyalists of the then undivided Shiv Sena stormed into his office, vandalized the place, and even blackened his face! And all of this over a single line of dialogue in his film!
“What happened with Kamra is, sadly, not new to Maharashtra. I’ve lived through it myself. Twenty-five years ago, loyalists of the same (then undivided) political party stormed into my office. They vandalised it, physically assaulted me, blackened my face, and forced me to apologise publicly—by falling at the feet of an old woman—for a single line of dialogue in my film.” The filmmaker recalled the humiliation and said, “That incident didn’t just bruise my body. It bruised my spirit. It blunted my filmmaking, muted my courage, and silenced parts of me that took years to reclaim,” Mehta wrote, adding that it took years for him to reclaim his courage. Well, if Bollywood has taught us anything, it’s that history has a way of repeating itself!
What happened with Kamra is, sadly, not new to Maharashtra. I’ve lived through it myself.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) March 24, 2025
Twenty-five years ago, loyalists of the same (then undivided) political party stormed into my office. They vandalised it, physically assaulted me, blackened my face, and forced me to…
Jaya Bachchan Asks ‘Where’s Freedom of Speech?’
Jaya Bachchan is not one to hold back, and this time was no different! The veteran actress and MP questioned the ever-narrowing space for free speech in the country.
“If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? You are anyway in a bad situation,” she told reporters, before throwing some serious shade at Eknath Shinde’s political leapfrogging. “There are restrictions on you. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, that do not interview Jaya Bachchan. Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus – beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You [Eknath Shinde] left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult of Balasaheb?” the actor-turned-politician said.
Meanwhile, Kamra’s comedy club venue, Habitat in Mumbai, got vandalized by Shiv Sena workers, making it clear that political satire isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Kamra, in his signature style, said he’d only apologize if things were handled lawfully.
Kangana Ranaut Slams ‘Fame-Hungry’ Comedians
Kangana Ranaut entered the chat, and well, you knew things were about to get fiery! The actress who herself has had multiple run-ins with Shiv Sena did not hold back. Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Kangana called out Kamra, questioning his credibility in the entertainment industry.
She added, “What are his credentials? Who are these people who could not achieve anything in life? Abusing in the name of comedy, mocking our religious texts and joking about our mothers and sisters. They call themselves influencers and do this for two minutes of fame. Where is our society headed?”
She also reminded everyone that Shinde had humble beginnings as an auto-rickshaw driver before climbing the political ladder, suggesting that he deserves respect. She shared, “That was illegal, this is illegal. You can be anyone, but insulting someone is (wrong). A man for whom respect is everything, you are insulting him in the name of comedy. You are disregarding his work. Shindeji used to ply an auto-rikshaw at some point. Now he has risen so much.”
Kangana’s Own ‘Clash’ With Shiv Sena
Let’s not forget – Kangana has had her own high-voltage showdown with Shiv Sena. Back in 2020, the BMC demolished a portion of her Mumbai office, citing illegal construction. This, of course, followed her nasty war of words with Sena leaders post-Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic passing.
With Kamra now in the hot seat, Kangana made it very clear that she won’t be comparing her ordeal with his. “So, do not link that episode with this. That was illegal, this action is legal,” she stated, backing Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’ stance that people must take responsibility for their words and actions.
Comedians, Politics, and Backlashes – A Never-Ending Saga?
With comedians constantly walking the tightrope between humour and controversy, one thing is clear – political satire in India is like playing with fire. Will Kunal Kamra stand his ground, or will the backlash force him into damage-control mode?
Stay tuned, because this drama is far from over!
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