Hansal Mehta, Jaya Bachchan REACT To Kunal Kamra’s ‘Gaddar’ Joke Controversy

Kunal Kamra is an Indian standup comedian and political satirist. His performances include jokes about absurdities of life and politics. Kunal Kamra targeted Eknath Shinde with a parody version of ‘Bholi Si Surat’, a popular song from the 1997 blockbuster Dil To Pagal Hai. He used the ‘gaddar’ (traitor) jibe against the Shiv Sena leader, who led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, bringing down his government and splitting the party. His jibe has not gone down well with political leaders and has stirred a slugfest. Now, several celebrities including Hansal Mehta and Jaya Bachchan have reacted to Kunal Kamra’s Gaddar comment.

Hansal Mehta and Jaya Bachchan on Kunal Kamra controversy

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, he wrote, “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 filmmaker recalled the humiliation and said, “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.”

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

While Jaya Bachchan questioned the limits placed on freedom of expression in the country. “If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? You are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, that do not interview Jaya Bachchan,” Ms Bachchan told reporters outside parliament. “Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus – beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You [Eknath Shinde] left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult of Balasaheb?” the actor-turned-politician said.

For those unversed, after the statement, Kunal’s habitat has been vandalised by the Shiv Sena workers. Karma even reacted to situation stating he will apologie only if things are resolved lawfully.

Also Read: Jaya Bachchan Criticises Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar’s Toilet: Ek Prem Katha; Questions, “Yeh Koi Naam Hai?”

Aakruti Bagla

With over 4 years of experience, Aakruti Bagla is a Bollywood and Television enthusiast working as a content writer and anchor in Bollywood Bubble. Whether reporting on red carpet moments or diving into long-form features, she aims to tell stories that resonate with readers and reveal the people behind the personas.