By Rohini Sridharan
On 11 September, 2025, a warning was given to the famous comedian Kapil Sharma, by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for allegedly calling Mumbai as Bombay and Bambai, in the Great Indian Kapil Show. There was a citation of strong opposition by the MNS if this act was continued.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin MNS leader Raj Thackeray, held a meeting regarding a vision for future alliance for the upcoming local bodies election. Soon after this meeting, the MNS leader Ameya Khopkar, addressed the press and shared his thoughts.
In this press meet, one of the things that Khopkar strongly condemned was the usage of Bombay and Bambai to refer to Mumbai in the recent Kapil Sharma show. The Great Indian Kapil Show, which is now streaming on Netflix received criticism for this act. He pointed out that this is a recurring mistake by the comedian, Kapil Sharma in his show from previous seasons till latest ones. He shared that this act disregards sentiments of many including him.
He also questioned Kapil Sharma for calling other cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata with their names but calling Mumbai as Bombay or Bambai, irrespective of him having lived in the city for many years, having an audience in the city that loves him and his show and building a career in the city. It was strongly established by Khopkar that it does not align with the sentiments of the people of Mumbai. It was also put out strongly that there would be huge agitation if this act continues from Kapil’s side.