Kamra also warned content creators about the implications of this action. “If you [T-Series] take this video down, every cover song/dance video can be taken down.”
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has landed in controversy again over his latest video, “Naya Bharat,” recorded at Mumbai’s Habitat. The venue has now been shut indefinitely.
Adding to his troubles, T-Series has issued a copyright strike against him on YouTube. The strike comes after Kamra used altered versions of lyrics from multiple songs originally produced by T-Series.
Responding to the strike, Kamra took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and said, “Hello T-Series, stop being a stooge.”
He further defended his content, arguing that parody and satire are legally protected under fair use.
“Parody and satire comes under fair use legally. I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song.”
Kamra also warned content creators about the implications of this action. “If you [T-Series] take this video down, every cover song/dance video can be taken down.”
He did not hold back his criticism of corporate dominance in India, stating, “Every monopoly in India is nothing short of mafia.”
In response to the backlash, Kamra posted a picture of himself holding a red pocket edition of the Indian Constitution, captioning it: “The only way forward.”
In his YouTube video, which has triggered a significant political storm, he stated, “At some point I will put this video out, and for all the people who won’t like the show, I have something for you.”
Holding up the Constitution, he continued, “This is what allows me to do what I do, and in the framework of the book, you can feel free to do anything.”
Later, he issued a detailed statement addressing political leaders, online trolls, and mobs, making it clear that he would not apologize.
“I will not apologise or hide under the bed waiting for the controversy to die down,” he asserted.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that legal action would be taken against Kamra for his remarks about Eknath Shinde. He also demanded an apology, arguing that such statements could not be justified under “freedom of speech.”
Fadnavis said the move was a response to Kamra’s alleged insult to “the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray.”
Reports indicate that three FIRs have been registered against Kamra for making indirect comments about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The comedian, currently in Pondicherry, had requested a week to appear before the authorities, but multiple reports suggest his request was denied.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal and 11 others for vandalizing Habitat.
In his comedy special uploaded on March 23, Kamra indirectly referred to Eknath Shinde as a “turncoat” and “traitor.” Though he did not name Shinde directly, he dropped multiple hints about him, mentioning a political leader from Thane who “hid in Guwahati” and later aligned with Devendra Fadnavis.
“What they did in the Maharashtra elections…. Shiv Sena left BJP, then Shiv Sena left Shiv Sena. NCP left NCP. They gave one voter nine buttons. Everyone got confused. One clever man did this. He comes from a very prominent district in Mumbai – Thane,” Kamra said during his show.
Kamra then performed a parody of a song, singing:
“Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye! Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye! Ek jhalak dikhlaye kabhi Guwahati mein chup jaaye. Meri nazar se tum dekho, gaddar nazar wo aye. Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye!”
He continued:
“Mantri nahi wo dalbadlu hai, aur kaha kya jaye? Jis thali me khaaye, usme hi wo ched kar jaye. Mantralay se zyada, Fadnavis ki godi me mil jaye. Teer kaman mila hai isko, baap mera yeh chahe. Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye!”
Reacting to Kamra’s statements, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stressed that freedom of expression should not be misused.
“Freedom of expression is important, but it should not be misused. Many writers engage in satire, but what happened today was an act of immorality, licentious behaviour, and a hit job done for money,” he told a Marathi news channel.
He further added, “This same person has previously spoken against the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, and leading industrialists of this nation. He has clashed with journalists and has even been banned by airlines. This is not freedom of expression. It is speaking on behalf of someone with an agenda. I haven’t commented on this issue all day, and I won’t.”
Although his supporters vandalized the venue where Kamra’s show took place, Shinde distanced himself from the incident.
“Every action has a reaction. I have immense patience and never react to anyone. Focusing on work and delivering justice to the people – this is what has led us to remarkable success,” he concluded.
