Kunal Kamra
Credit: X/@kunalkamra88
Comedian Kunal Kamra is no stranger to controversy and finds himself in the eye of the storm again -- this time for suggesting that Mahrashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is a 'traitor'.
Shinde's Shiv Sena members did not take kindly to Kamra's brand of humour, deciding to vandalise the hotel where Kamra's performance was shot. Amid the fast-escalating row, Kamra has refused to back down, stating that what he said had previously been uttered by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar about his ally Shinde.
Kamra, however, ruffled feathers, and one Shiv Sena worker decided to call the comedian to express his displeasure, but the phone conversation didn't exactly go as planned. The call from the Sena worker to Kamra has now gone viral.
DH could not independently verify the veracity of the clip.
The audio indicates the caller's unhappiness with the comments on the 'Chief Minister', to which Kamra issues a quick rejoinder that Shinde is now the Deputy CM. Rectifying himself, the caller asks if Kamra has seen what they have 'done to the hotel or studio'. While the hotel has been vandalised, the Habitat Studio -- has shut down -- and has been demolished by the BMC.
After the first caller hurls some abuses at Kamra and threatens him with violence, the comedian says he is in Tamil Nadu. To this, the caller says he would be 'beaten up' there as well. Then, the call is handed off to another Shiv Sena supporter.
When asked about his whereabouts again, Kamra says he is in Tamil Nadu, to which the caller says "How to reach Tamil Nadu?". The call is disconnected soon after.
Kamra today has been summoned by authorities.
Mumbai police has asked the comedian to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am, March 25. The MIDC police had registered an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his remarks during a stand-up comedy show, which was transferred to Khar police for further investigation.
Shinde, reacting to the situation, said that there would be 'reactions' to an 'action' and likened comedian Kunal Kamra's jibe at him to taking "supari" (contract) to speak against someone, saying a decorum should be maintained while taking jibes.
(With agency inputs)