• Source:JND
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Hansal Mehta made a strong statement in favour of comedian Kunal Kamra amid the joke controversy. The latter received criticism for his comments on Eknath Shinde, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra.

Hansal Mehta, who is well-known for his biased social media posts, shared on X that whatever transpired with Kunal Kamra is not new. Twenty-five years ago, his Mumbai office was vandalised and he was even physically attacked. 

Hansal Mehta Defends Kunal Kamra Amid Joke Controversy

Hansal Mehta condemned violence and intimidation in a sharply worded social media statement. "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, " he said. 

Hansal Mehta added that the line was harmless and that the movie had already received approval from the Censor Board after 27 cuts. Th filmmaker disclosed that at least 20 political personalities were present at the location where he apologised, along with 10,000 spectators and Mumbai police who were silently observing the proceedings.

Also Read - Hansal Mehta Feels Bollywood Is Waiting To Be Disrupted; Says ‘Hindi Cinema Needs A Reset’

The filmmaker condemmened violence and concluded, "No matter how deep the disagreement, no matter how sharp the provocation—violence, intimidation, and humiliation can never be justified."

In response to the incident, Kunal Kamra said Monday that no political party controls his comedy and that it is legal to make fun of leaders. His jab at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had angered the Shiv Sena and prompted legal action. The comedian made it clear that he would not retract the comments.

An FIR was registered against the comedian.

Also Read - 'Don't Fear This Mob’: Kunal Kamra Refuses To Apologise Over 'Traitor Parody' On Eknath Shinde, Lambasts Vandalism At Habitat

Shiv Sena workers vandalised The Habitat hotel in Mumbai, where the event was held. On Monday, the Mumbai civic body demolished parts of Habitat Studio, citing violations of building regulations. The Habitat Studio announced they were shutting down after the vandalism. The police arrested 12 workers of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena for ransacking the Habitat Studio venue.