Comedian and television host Kapil Sharma has landed in controversy after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) objected to his use of the word “Bombay” on The Great Indian Kapil Show. The row erupted after a viral video featuring actors Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem showed the term being used casually in conversation.
Reacting sharply, Ameya Khopkar, president of the MNS film workers’ wing, took to X (formerly Twitter) and criticised Sharma and his guests for continuing to use the old name. In his post, he reminded that it has been almost three decades since the city was officially renamed Mumbai and described the repeated use of “Bombay” as disrespectful.
“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. was officially recognized 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,” he tweeted, using hashtags such as #BombaytoMumbai to push the message.
Khopkar further hinted at possible protests if Sharma’s show continues to use “Bombay” or “Bambai.” He urged Sharma and his production team to brief celebrity guests in advance and ensure they stick to the official name Mumbai.
This has reignited the long-standing Bombay vs Mumbai debate, with some supporting MNS’s stance on upholding the official name, while others defended Sharma, arguing that “Bombay” is often used out of habit or nostalgia.
So far, Kapil Sharma has not made any public comment on the controversy. However, industry insiders believe the comedian might issue a clarification soon to avoid the matter escalating further.
The controversy highlights how the name of India’s financial capital continues to stir political and cultural debates, even decades after its official renaming from Bombay to Mumbai.
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