Hansal Mehta recently opened up about a traumatic experience he had 25 years ago when Shiv Sena loyalists stormed his office, vandalized it, physically assaulted him, and forced him to apologize publicly for a single line of dialogue in his film. This incident left him feeling “very broken” and he found solace in liquor after the public humiliation.
Mehta recalled how at least 20 political figures arrived at the apology venue, ensuring his public shaming while the Mumbai Police stood by silently ¹ ². The filmmaker emphasized that this incident not only bruised his body but also his spirit, affecting his filmmaking, courage, and overall well-being .
Mehta’s statement comes in support of comedian Kunal Kamra, who recently faced a similar ordeal when Shiv Sena members vandalized a comedy club in Mumbai over one of his jokes Mehta condemned the intimidation tactics used against dissenting voices, stressing the importance of dialogue, dissent, and dignity .
