Renowned filmmaker Hansal Mehta recently shared a very shocking incident he faced in his past. He revealed that he was publicly humiliated and his office was vandalised 25 years ago. His revelation comes amid the ongoing controversy of comedian Kunal Kamra. The controversy erupted after he took a jab at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
A Dark Chapter After His Film’s Release
Recently, in a conversation during the event Hansal recalled the after release days of his 2000 film Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar, which not only failed at the box office but also led to a very disturbing experience for him in life.
He revealed, “Now, these things have names like PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), but back then, the only remedy I knew was alcohol. I was shattered. My film didn’t do well, and four weeks later, while dealing with financial losses, people stormed into my office, vandalised it, and blackened my face. They even ordered me to return the next day to publicly apologise, intending to create a bigger spectacle.”
Hansal further elaborated that the attack was not only about his film’s performance but rather a larger issue related to power and control. He stated that: “I later realised that those who violate one’s self-respect and freedom do not belong to any particular ideology or party. They are simply power-hungry and faceless cowards. It took me time to understand that I wasn’t weak—I was attacked by cowards. Once I realised this, I found my voice”.
Then that’s where he told that the realisation hit him and it helped him move on from his trauma. “In all the darkness, there is still hope, and that hope lies in storytellers, performers, and those who live beyond themselves,” he said.
About Hansal Mehta
Hansal Mehta began his career in television, directing the popular cookery show Khana Khazana with Sanjeev Kapoor. After transitioning to filmmaking, he faced initial struggles before gaining recognition with Shahid (2013), which won him the National Film Award for Best Direction.
In recent years, he has found immense success on digital platforms. His web series Scam 1992 became a major hit, followed by Scoop.
