Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has once again found himself in the middle of controversy following a song that targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The situation escalated when the venue where he performed was vandalised by some people, sparking widespread debate and strong reactions on social media.
However, several Bollywood personalities like, filmmaker Hansal Mehta, veteran actor and MP Jaya Bachchan and director Anurag Kashyap have shown their support to Kunal and questioned the freedom of speech and expression.
Hansal Mehta Recalls His Own Pain
Hansal Mehta who is known for his own work in Scam 1992 and Shahid shared his own experience with political threatening . He revealed that around 25 years ago, members of the Shiv Sena vandalised his office and assaulted him over a dialogue from his film ‘Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar’ which was released around 2000.
Talking to Instagram , Hansal shared his story and wrote : “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 a-the feet of an elderly woman-for a single line of dialogue in my film.”
In the next slide he continued: “The line was harmless, almost trivial. The film had already been cleared by the Censor Board with 27 other cuts. But that didn’t matter. At the so-called “apology” venue, at least 20 political figures arrived in full strength to oversee what can only be described as a public shaming-with 10,000 onlookers and the Mumbai Police watching in silence.”
He added: “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. No matter how deep the disagreement, no matter how sharp the provocation-violence, intimidation, and humiliation can never be justified. We owe ourselves, and each other, better. We owe ourselves dialogue, dissent, and dignity”.
Jaya Bachchan Questions Freedom Of Speech
Veteran actor Jaya Bachchan also came up in the support of comedian, and questioned the growing restrictions on freedom of speech. Speaking out strongly, she said, “If there is restriction on speaking, what will become if you (media)? You (media) are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you (media). You (media) 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, just beat up 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?”
#WATCH | On Kunal Kamra row, SP MP Jaya Bachchan says, "…If there is restriction on speaking, what will become if you? You are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, that do not interview Jaya… pic.twitter.com/GWpkNyEDHS
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025
Her statement highlighted the increasing intolerance towards artistic expression in the country.
Also Read: Comedian Kunal Kamra row: BMC Demolishes Illegal Portion Of Mumbai’s Habitat Studio
Anurag Kashyap Lends Silent Support
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also expressed his support to Kunal by re-posting Hansal Mehta’s post on Instagram stories. Though Kashyap did not add a caption, the gesture was seen as a quiet show of support for freedom of speech.
Kunal Kamra Responds Boldly
Kunal Kamra recently released a statement where he refused to apologise for his stand-up content. He strongly condemned the attack on Mumbai’s Habitat venue where he had performed.
In his statement, Kunal said, “An entertainment venue is merely a platform. Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”
He also criticised politicians for taking themselves too seriously and not understanding sarcasm. Kunal reminded everyone that freedom of speech should not only be used to praise the powerful but also to question them.
Also Read: Kunal Kamra Row: Mumbai Police To Probe Conspiracy In Mocking Of Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
The controversy has led to an FIR being filed against both Kunal and members of the Shiv Sena youth wing for their respective actions in the incident.
