Kunal Kamra calls Shinde 'gaddar;' Sena workers vandalize his venue
What's the story
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is in hot waters after his 'joke' on Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. During his performance at Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai's Khar, the comedian made a "gaddar" (traitor) comment at Shinde. He changed a song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai, apparently making fun of the deputy CM, without directly naming him.
Threats issued
Shiv Sena leaders issue warnings to Kamra
However, the joke hasn't gone down too well with Shiv Sena leaders, who have threatened Kamra. Party members even vandalized the Khar hotel where the show happened. Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske called Kamra a "contract comedian" and warned him of severe consequences for his remarks about Shinde. "We will make sure you cannot move freely throughout the country," he said, adding they are Shiv Sainiks of late Balasaheb Thackeray.
Accusations
Allegations against Kamra
Mhaske also alleged that Kamra was paid by Uddhav Thackeray to attack Shinde. "His (Thackeray's) party is left with nobody so it is hiring such people. Kamra will now realize the consequences of criticizing Shinde," he said. He also condemned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's decision to share the video publicly on X (formerly Twitter).
Twitter Post
Watch the video here
Standup Comedy becomes tragedy!
— North East West South (@prawasitv) March 24, 2025
ShivSena Shinde supporters ransack hotel UniContinental, Mumbai for hosting Kunal Kamra comedy show!
Earlier Kunal Kamra made derogatory comments on Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena 🏹#kunalkamra #Shivsena #ShivsenaUBT #eknathshinde #mumbai… pic.twitter.com/PiI8tIUgin
Additional threats
Shiv Sena MLA warns Kamra
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel also warned Kamra, threatening an FIR over his remarks against Shinde, saying he would show "Kamra his level." "I am going to file an FIR against Kamra at MIDC police station," Patel said. After the vandalism at Hotel Unicontinental, the Mumbai Police on Monday detained Shiv Sena leaders Rahool Kanal, Shrikant Sarmalkar, and others for vandalism.