'Another Anthem For Viksit Bharat': Kunal Kamra's Swipe At Shiv Sena With New Video Amid Shinde Joke Row
Modifying the Hindi translation of 'We Shall Overcome', comedian Kunal Kamra interspersed the video with visuals of the vandalism of Mumbai's Habitat, where his controversial comedy sketch was recorded
A day after standup comedian Kunal Kamra said he will not be apologising for his controversial comments about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, he posted a fresh parody video on his social media accounts.
Using a parody version of the Hindi translation of We Shall Overcome, Kamra exchanged the lyrics Hum Honge Kamyab with Hum Honge Kangal (We will be paupers). The video was interspersed with visuals of the vandalism at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, the venue where his controversial comedy sketch was recorded.
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In the beginning of the video, which was posted on his X and Instagram accounts, he is heard saying: “Viksit Bharat ka ek aur anthem (Here’s another anthem for a developed India)." He goes on to sing the parody version as the audience breaks into laughter in the background.
👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/C5Bnn81p5E— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 25, 2025
The parody also has lyrics like Mann mein andhvishwas, desh ka satyanash replacing popular phrases like Mann mein hai vishwas, poora hai vishwas from the original song. While there is no information on when this video was shot, it looks like it was part of his earlier sketch and edited later to make a statement on social media.
The 36-year-old comedian had used a similar style to mock Shinde’s political career, modifying the lyrics of a popular Hindi movie song. The video has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra.
WHAT DID KUNAL KAMRA SAY IN HIS PUBLIC STATEMENT?
In a lengthy statement on X, a defiant Kamra said those busy leaking his number on social media or calling him incessantly should know that it all goes to his voicemail where they will be subjected to “the very song" that they hate. The song he had used was the popular Bholi si surat from the Hindi blockbuster Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), starring Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan.
“I will not apologise… I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down," he wrote on X and added that his statement was exactly what “Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM)".
Clips from his comedy show and the political row it sparked dominated headlines on Monday (March 24) with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying Kamra should apologise for his “low level comedy". Opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray, however, said there was nothing wrong in what the comedian said. The Congress and CPI (M) also came out in Kamra’s support.
On Sunday night (March 23), Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located as Kamra’s show took place there. Kamra said the vandalism of the venue was “senseless" and equated it to someone turning over a lorry carrying tomatoes because they didn’t like butter chicken.
“To the Mob That Decided That Habitat Should Not Stand: An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party," he said.
My Statement – pic.twitter.com/QZ6NchIcsM— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 24, 2025
The comedian also spoke about his right to freedom of speech and expression while calling out “politicians threatening to teach him a lesson". “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system. However, I am willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me," he said.
He added: “But will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke?"
Officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation visited the ransacked venue and said they had razed a temporary structure in the open space of the hotel. Kamra criticised the civic body for tearing the place down without prior notice.
He said for his next show, he would perhaps opt for “Elphinstone bridge, or any other structure in Mumbai" in need of speedy demolition. Police have arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the show venue.
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