Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has issued a stern warning to popular comedian and TV personality Kapil Sharma, demanding he refer to the city as ‘Mumbai’ instead of ‘Bombay’ on his show and in public appearances. The controversy, which erupted this week, has rapidly escalated, with MNS threatening consequences if Sharma continues using the colonial-era name.
The warning comes after a recent episode of “The Kapil Sharma Show” in which Sharma reportedly used the term ‘Bombay’ to describe the city. This prompted immediate backlash from MNS leaders, who insist on the use of ‘Mumbai’ as a matter of local pride and cultural identity. Raj Thackeray’s party has a history of vocally defending the name change, which officially took place in 1995 to reflect the city’s Marathi heritage.
MNS spokesperson Amit Kadam stated, “Kapil Sharma must respect the sentiments of Mumbai’s people. There is no ‘Bombay’ now, only Mumbai. He must correct his mistake, and if this continues, we will be forced to take further action.” The party’s warning has sparked debate on social media, with some supporting MNS’s stance and others calling for freedom of expression.
Dispute over city name continues
The issue of whether to call India’s financial capital ‘Bombay’ or ‘Mumbai’ has long been controversial. While official communications, government documents, and most media outlets use ‘Mumbai,’ the older name ‘Bombay’ still lingers in popular culture, film, and informal conversation. However, regional parties like MNS and Shiv Sena have repeatedly emphasized the importance of using ‘Mumbai’ to honor Marathi roots.
Kapil Sharma has not yet issued an official response, but sources within his production team indicate that future episodes will adhere to the preferred city name to avoid further controversy. Despite this, several fans have expressed concern over what they see as “language policing” by political parties.
Impact on entertainment and media
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between artistic expression and political sensitivities in the entertainment industry. Media analysts note that public figures must often balance creative freedom with respect for local identities, especially in regions with strong linguistic and cultural movements.
As MNS has previously staged protests and issued warnings over similar issues, other media professionals in Mumbai may also come under scrutiny. Industry observers expect the matter to influence content guidelines for broadcasters based in the city.
MNS Demands Correct Usage
As per PTI, Ameya Khopkar, head of the MNS film wing, emphasised that the city’s name is Mumbai. He noted that, on Kapil’s show, the city has often been referred to as Bombay or Bambai, which the party considers disrespectful. Khopkar questioned why other cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are referred to correctly, while Mumbai is still called by its old name.
He reminded Kapil that Mumbai has been his professional hub, his ‘karmabhoomi,’ and stressed that the city holds a special place in the hearts of its residents. Khopkar appealed to Sharma to correct this oversight if it happened unintentionally, asking him to ensure that guests on the show also refer to the city as Mumbai. Failure to comply, he warned, could lead to a strong agitation by the MNS.
Addressing speculation about political motivations ahead of local body elections, Khopkar clarified that the warning is not linked to upcoming polls. He stated that the issue of referring to Mumbai correctly has been a longstanding concern for the party. “Keep elections aside, the name of this city is Mumbai. Those who do not call it so will have to face our anger,” he added.
What’s next?
With tensions rising, both Kapil Sharma and MNS are under public watch to see how the matter is resolved. Whether it leads to the adoption of stricter city name usage in entertainment or prompts broader dialogue on cultural identity remains to be seen. For now, Mumbai’s name continues to be at the center of both political and pop culture discourse.
