Kunal Kamra’s Mic Drop Millions: Comedian’s Controversial Jibe at Shinde Sparks Donation Deluge
Kunal Kamra, an Indian stand-up comedian known for his sharp political satire, has recently been at the center of a controversy following his latest YouTube special, “Naya Bharat,” uploaded around March 23, 2025. In the performance, Kamra took satirical jabs at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, notably through a parody of the song “Bholi Si Surat” from the 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai. The altered lyrics implicitly labeled Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor), referencing his 2022 political shift that led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government. This sparked significant backlash from Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, including the vandalism of The Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where the show was filmed, by party supporters on March 23, 2025.
Amid this uproar, Kamra has received substantial financial support from fans via YouTube’s “Super Thanks” feature, which allows viewers to donate directly to creators. Reports indicate that supporters, both in India and internationally, have contributed amounts ranging from ₹40 to ₹10,000, with some donations in foreign currencies like US dollars, British pounds, and UAE dirhams. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, the donations are estimated to have reached several lakhs of rupees (hundreds of thousands) within days, fueled by the video’s viral spread—it garnered over 4.2 million views in its first nine hours. Fans have praised Kamra’s courage, with comments like “Thanks Kunal for having the courage to speak out” (₹179 donation) and “Please set up a fundraiser, and we will foot your bills for pulling no punches” (£99.99 donation), reflecting solidarity with his stance on free speech.
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology, stating on March 24, 2025, that while satire is welcome, “freedom of expression has limitations” and insults to leaders like Shinde would not be tolerated. Conversely, opposition figures like Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray have defended Kamra, framing his remarks as a legitimate exercise of democratic expression. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have filed an FIR against Kamra under defamation and public mischief charges, and his bank records are under scrutiny following allegations of paid provocation—claims he has denied, offering transparency to investigators.
The influx of donations highlights a polarized public response: some view Kamra as a defender of free speech, while others see his humor as crossing ethical lines. This financial backing, however, has amplified his visibility, turning a potentially obscure comedy set into a national talking point as of March 25, 2025.
