The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has issued a stern warning to comedian Kapil Sharma, urging him and his guests on The Great Indian Kapil Show to stop using the words “Bombay” or “Bambai” and instead use the official name “Mumbai”. The warning comes after a video surfaced from the show where actors Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem referred to the city as “Bombay”.
“Not an Objection, It’s Anger”: MNS Film Wing Head
Ameya Khopkar, president of the MNS’ film wing, expressed strong disapproval over the repeated use of “Bombay” on Kapil’s show. Speaking to ANI, he said, “The name of this city is Mumbai. It’s not an objection, it’s anger. You’ve been working in Mumbai for years. Don’t insult our city.”
Khopkar demanded that Kapil ensure everyone on his show—hosts and guests alike—respect the city’s name. “If this doesn’t stop, we will launch a strong agitation,” he warned.
#BombaytoMumbai
— Ameya Khopkar (@MNSAmeyaKhopkar) September 11, 2025
बॉम्बेचे मुंबई अधिकृत नामकरण होऊन ३० वर्षे झाली तरी अजूनही बॉलिवूड मधील कपिल शर्मा शो यात सेलिब्रिटी गेस्ट, दिल्लीस्थित राज्यसभा खासदार, शो अँकर आणि अनेक हिंदी चित्रपटात सर्रास बॉम्बे हा उल्लेख होत आहे. १९९५ महाराष्ट्र शासन व १९९६ मध्ये केंद्र शासनाची अधिकृत… pic.twitter.com/KKa7TazDJ0
30 Years Since the Renaming
Mumbai was officially renamed from Bombay in 1995 by the Maharashtra government, followed by central government recognition in 1996. “Even before Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata changed names, Mumbai was renamed. Yet Bollywood continues to use Bombay casually,” Khopkar said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a clip from the show as evidence.
Not Politically Motivated, Claims MNS
Clarifying that the warning is not tied to upcoming local body polls, Khopkar stated, “We’ve been fighting for this cause for years. Elections are irrelevant. It’s about respecting the city and its people.”
The Great Indian Kapil Show premiered on Netflix in June and features Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Sunil Grover, Archana Puran Singh, and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
