The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) issued a stern warning to comedian-actor Kapil Sharma for referring to Mumbai as ‘Bombay’ or ‘Bambai’ on his popular Netflix program, The Great Indian Kapil Show, which premiered its third season on June 21. MNS leader Ameya Khopkar, head of the party’s film wing, expressed outrage over what he described as an insult to the city, emphasizing that Mumbai’s official name must be respected.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Khopkar highlighted the cultural significance of the city’s name, stating, “The name of this city is Mumbai. If you can address other cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata correctly, why insult our city?” He noted that Mumbai, as Sharma’s karmabhoomi (land of work), has embraced the comedian, making the use of outdated names particularly offensive. Khopkar urged Sharma to ensure that all guests and anchors on the show use ‘Mumbai’ and warned of a “strong agitation” by the MNS if the practice continues.

The warning follows a meeting between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray, amid speculation of a potential alliance ahead of local body polls. When questioned about the timing of the controversy, Khopkar dismissed electoral motives, asserting that the MNS has consistently advocated for the use of ‘Mumbai’ for years. “Keep elections aside, the name of this city is Mumbai. Those who do not call it so will face our anger,” he declared.

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This incident underscores ongoing sensitivities surrounding Mumbai’s identity and the MNS’s commitment to enforcing its official name, reflecting broader cultural and political sentiments in Maharashtra.

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