Hansal Mehta backs Kunal Kamra, shares his own experience of being attacked by Shiv Sena members: 'They covered my face in black'
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Filmmaker Hansal Mehta recalled his own ordeal over two decades ago as he extended his support to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra amid a row. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Hansal condemned the vandalism of the venue in Mumbai where Kunal had performed his show. The controversy erupted after Kunal allegedly passed disparaging remarks on the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in his latest standup act.
Hansal Mehta on what he had to face after Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar release
Hansal recounted the incident in which he was attacked and compelled to issue an apology following the release of his 2000 film, Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar. He remembered that his office was damaged by the political party Shiv Sena (at that time, not yet divided), and he endured these challenges due to a specific line in the film.
Hansal supports Kunal Kamra
He remarked that the incident involving Kamra is, unfortunately, not unprecedented in Maharashtra. He recounted his own experience from twenty-five years ago when supporters of the same political party, which was then unified, invaded his office. They damaged the property, physically attacked him, disfigured his face, and compelled him to issue a public apology—by kneeling before an elderly woman—over a single line of dialogue from his film.
Hansal says his spirit was hurt
The filmmaker recounted the experience of enduring humiliation while the Mumbai police observed without intervening. "The remark was innocuous, nearly insignificant. The film had already received approval from the Censor Board, which included 27 cuts. However, that was irrelevant. At the so-called 'apology' event, around 20 political figures gathered in full force to witness what can only be characterized as a public shaming, accompanied by 10,000 spectators and the Mumbai Police remaining silent," he stated.
Hansal talks about humiliation
Hansal said the incident hurt him tremendously and added that whatever the situation, "humiliation can never be justified". “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 wrote.
"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," concluded his note.
What did Kunal Kamra say
Kunal has issued a statement through his official social media account, asserting that he will not "apologize" for his actions. He emphasized that the entertainment venue serves only as a platform and is not "accountable" for his comedic expressions. Following his comments regarding Eknath Shinde on Sunday, Shiv Sena workers vandalized The Habitat Centre in Mumbai.
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