'Mere Ko Toh Acha Laga’: Old Video of Kunal Kamra Backing Kangana’s Office Demolition Goes Viral Amid Controversy
An old video of Kunal Kamra supporting Kangana Ranaut’s office demolition resurfaces amid controversy, sparking fresh debate on political satire and free speech.
Mumbai witnessed another political tension after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to a violent backlash. On Sunday night, Shiv Sena workers ransacked the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, Mumbai, where Kamra's show was filmed. The incident followed a video of Kamra taunting Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from Dil To Pagal Hai, which went viral.
An FIR was registered against Kamra under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation). Additionally, Shiv Sena leaders, including Rahul Kanal, were booked for vandalizing the venue.
CM Devendra Fadnavis Condemns Kamra's Remarks
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly criticized Kamra’s statements, emphasizing the need for responsible expression in comedy.
"Everyone has a right to perform stand-up comedy. But freedom should not be unrestrained behaviour. Kamra should apologize for his behaviour. The insult of leaders cannot be tolerated. Action will be taken against him as per the law," said Fadnavis.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) speaks on the stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra controversy.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025
"The way stand-up comedian (Kunal) Kamra tried to humiliate Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is wrong. We condemn this. Such things can't be tolerated. Kamra… pic.twitter.com/NdZREORQ7k
Maharashtra Home Minister Yogesh Kadam also confirmed that police were actively working to trace Kamra in connection with the incident.
Old Video of Kunal Kamra Supporting Kangana's Office Demolition Resurfaces
Amidst all of this an old video of standup comedian Kunal Kamra has resurfaced on the internet and went viral. In this video, Kamra is having a chat with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Sanjay Raut on his channel. It was part of a series that he used to upload with the name ‘Shut Up Ya Kunal.” In this episode he asked Raut that they demolish the illegal construction of Kangana Ranaut’s office to which Raut replied that we didn’t demolish the office BMC did, and picked up a miniature of a Bulldozer which was on the table and said that I don’t have this BMC have this.
Kunal then showed him a cutting of Raut’s news paper ‘Samna’ in which the headline was “Ukhad Diya,” and said I will frame this after taking your autograph on it.
Sanjay Raut then said, “Now, that lady—what’s her name? Kangana. She’s an actress, right? She was saying, “I’m coming, demolish whatever you want.” A woman should be respected. So, her wish was fulfilled—BMC sent bulldozers and demolished it. Saamana simply reported it as “Ukhad Diya” (demolished). There’s nothing wrong with that.
'Mere ko toh acha laga, acha kiya': Kunal Kamra when Kangana Ranaut's office was demolished by the BMC.
— Tushar Gupta (@Tushar15_) March 24, 2025
Sanjay Raut was mocking the demolition, and this was Kamra's response. Before you stand for his 'freedom of speech', do watch this. Just an observation. pic.twitter.com/nH5FZIEFIx
Raut said to Kamra that, “Why are you upset?” to which the latter replied, “No, I’m not upset. I watched the video many times. It felt good. I’m not sad. I felt good.”
Uddhav Thackeray Defends Kamra, Condemns Vandalism
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray came out in support of Kamra, arguing that the comedian had only expressed public opinion. "Kamra merely expressed his views. He stated the facts and voiced the public opinion," Thackeray told reporters at Vidhan Bhawan in south Mumbai.
He also condemned the attack on the venue, demanding that the government compensate for the damage.
"Kamra hasn’t done anything wrong... These traitors don’t see Solapurkar and Koratkar who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Thackeray added, referencing protests over alleged objectionable remarks made by a journalist and an actor.
Opposition Condemns Attack on Venue
The attack on Kamra’s show venue has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari denounced the vandalism as "hooliganism" and stated that the "public is paying the price of the internal conflict in BJP’s Maharashtra government."
Habitat Studio Shuts Down After Controversy
The controversy has also forced The Habitat Studio, a preferred venue for stand-up comedy, to announce its closure, citing concerns over safety and free expression.
Habitat Studio, which hosted Kamra's show, was previously the venue for the controversial India's Got Latent show, which sparked major backlash last month. Kanal mentioned that the venue owner was aware of six FIRs filed over hosting controversial shows.
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On Instagram, the studio announced its closure, citing recent vandalism: "We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken..." They emphasized that artists are responsible for their content and expressed frustration over being blamed for performances. "We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy," their statement read.
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