Comedian Kunal Kamra and author Sudha Murty (R).
Credit: X/@kunalkamra88, DH PHOTO/PUSHKAR V
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's 'gaddar' jibe against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has snowballed into a major government vs Opposition slugfest in Maharashtra.
The 36-year-old comedian now faces FIRs, threats, investigation of phone records and scanning of financial data.
In his Naya Bharat show, he trained guns at author Sudha Murty who is also the wife of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, reagrding 'simplicity and work culture'.
During his 45-minute show, Kamra mocked Sudha's modest thinking and style of living saying, "Jo ameer hojate hai aur so middle-class hone ki acting karte hai, unme see ek mahan aurat hai, uska naam hai Sudha Murty."
"Simplicity ki moorat hai who. Uska wohi claim hai ki mein simple hun. Aur usne apni simplicity pe pachaas kitaab likhi hai…har kitaab ka point yeahi hai ki woh simple hai (Among the rich people who pretend to be middle class, is a great lady, Sudha Murty. She is an embodiment of simplicity. That’s her claim. She has written 50 books on her simplicity…each book's theme is that I am simple.)"
Kamra also ridiculed Narayana over his '70-hour workweek for economic growth' advice.
The comedian told a fictional story where Sudha buys mangoes at a cheaper price compared to a corporate-dressed woman.
He said, "I simply went to the mango seller, and he told me that the lady had a modern corporate job in this international company called Infosys. Now you understand why Narayana Murthy wants you to work for 70 hours a week."
Kamra’s show was recorded in The Habitat in The UniContinental hotel in Khar suburbs of Mumbai - and after it went viral, Shiv Sainiks ransacked it on Sunday night.
The issue rocked the Maharashtra Legislature on Monday with the ruling Maha Yuti-NDA demanding action against Kamra.
Speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly over the issue, CM Devendra Fadnavis said that Urban Naxals' and 'Left Liberals' supporting such acts will be taught a lesson.
Fadnavis said, "There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated. There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Shinde purposely, it is not right."
(With DHNS inputs)