Hansal Mehta backs Kunal Kamra, recalls being assaulted by Shiv Sena workers : Bollywood News-OxBig News Network

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has come out in support of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who recently faced vandalism at a Mumbai comedy club by Shiv Sena members. Taking to X aka Twitter, Mehta recounted the traumatic incident that took place during the release of his 2000 film Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar.

Hansal Mehta backs Kunal Kamra, recalls being assaulted by Shiv Sena workers

Mehta took to the social media platform to share his own harrowing experience from over two decades ago, when he was assaulted and publicly humiliated by loyalists of the same political party.  He revealed how his office was stormed, vandalised, and he was physically assaulted by members of the then-undivided Shiv Sena 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 elderly woman—for a single line of dialogue in my film. 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,” Mehta wrote.

Describing the gravity of the situation, Mehta recalled being forced into a public apology in front of a massive crowd, with political leaders and the Mumbai Police standing in silent observation. The humiliation left a lasting impact on him, not just physically but also emotionally and creatively. “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. 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,” he shared.

Emphasizing the need for a more civil approach to disagreements, Mehta stated, “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.”

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…

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) March 24, 2025

His statement comes in the wake of the recent attack on Kunal Kamra, where members of the Shiv Sena vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai following a political satire by the comedian. While Kamra’s remarks were aimed at political shifts within Maharashtra, the violent reaction from party workers has sparked debates on freedom of speech and artistic expression. By drawing parallels between his own experience and Kamra’s, Hansal Mehta has reignited discussions about the intimidation tactics used against dissenting voices in the state.

Also Read: Hansal Mehta and Mukesh Chhabra join hands to produce official Hindi adaptation of Ilango Ram’s acclaimed comedy Tentigo

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