Kunal Kamra reuses to apologize, drops satirical video on Nirmala Sitharaman

Comedian Kunal Kamra has once again taken aim at the BJP-led government with a new satirical video, parodying the famous song ‘Hawa Hawai’ from the Bollywood classic Mr. India. The video, released on Wednesday, makes sharp jabs at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and criticizes the government’s handling of economic issues, taxation, and infrastructure failures. Kamra released the video on the same day Mumbai police issued him a second summons over his controversial "traitor" remark against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The parody, titled Aapka tax ka paisa ho raha hai hawa hawai, accuses the BJP of fostering a dictatorship and wasting taxpayers' money. The lyrics include lines like “Traffic badhane yeh hai aayi, bridges giraane yeh hai aayi, kehte hai isko tanashahi” (She has come to increase traffic, to demolish bridges, this is called dictatorship), taking a swipe at the Centre’s urban planning failures. The video suggests that middle-class taxpayers are overburdened while big corporates enjoy tax breaks, reflecting recent economic concerns.

Another set of lyrics—“Logon ki lootne kamaai, sari waali didi aayi, salary churaane yeh hai aayi, middle class dabaane yeh hai aayi, popcorn khilaane yeh hai aayi, kehte hai isko Nirmala tai”—directly targets Sitharaman, highlighting taxation policies that Kamra believes hurt middle-class citizens. The "popcorn" reference points to the controversy over multiple GST slabs for different types of popcorn, which had earlier sparked public debate.

Kamra’s latest release follows another parody video, Hum Hongey Kangal, which mocked the vandalism at Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers had stormed the venue after Kamra called Shinde a "traitor" during his performance. The comedian remains defiant, stating that he will cooperate with the police but will not apologize for his remarks.

"I will not apologize... I don't fear this mob, and I won’t be hiding under the bed, waiting for this to die down," Kamra declared in a social media post. His comments indicate that he is ready for a prolonged legal battle, even as defamation charges loom over him.

Kamra has had a long history of conflicts with the BJP and has faced multiple legal notices and police actions for his politically charged comedy. His latest video adds to his track record of using satire to challenge the ruling party, ensuring that the controversy surrounding him continues to escalate.