The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken issue with comedian Kapil Sharma’s Netflix show after Mumbai was referred to as “Bombay.” Party leader Ameya Khopkar shared a clip from the episode on X, warning Sharma against using the old name for the city.
Although the financial capital officially became Mumbai almost 30 years ago, Khopkar pointed out that the older name still finds casual mention in films, television shows, and even by celebrities.
The viral clip shows actors Shilpa and Shamita Shetty joining Sharma, alongside Huma Qureshi and her brother Saqib Saleem. While chatting about her bond with Saqib, Qureshi mentions “Bombay,” explaining that her brother’s presence brings her comfort since she isn’t originally from the city.
“Even though 30 years have passed since Bombay was officially renamed Mumbai, the term Bombay is still frequently used in Bollywood’s Kapil Sharma Show celebrity guests, Delhi-based Rajya Sabha MPs, show anchors, and in many Hindi films. It was officially recognised by the Maharashtra Government in 1995 and by the Central Government in 1996, even before Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Therefore, a humble request-cum-warning is being issued to respect this and use the name Mumbai,” Khopkar wrote.
Just last month, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers allegedly assaulted a man after he refused to speak in Marathi, reportedly saying, “I will not speak in the language. What will you do?”
In another incident in Nashik, a man was attacked following a scuffle triggered by a car brushing against another vehicle. MNS workers allegedly intervened, demanding that he learn Marathi if he did not already know the language, and accused him of abusing a neighbour.
Earlier in Pune, former MNS corporator Kishore Shinde and his supporters stormed into the office of Municipal Commissioner Navalkishore Ram during an official meeting. When Ram asked Shinde to leave in Hindi, the MNS leader objected, insisting that the commissioner speak in Marathi instead.