The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has issued a stern warning to comedian Kapil Sharma, urging him to avoid referring to the city of Mumbai as ‘Bombay’ or ‘Bambai’ on his popular Netflix show, The Great Indian Kapil Show. The party has threatened to launch an agitation if the city’s name is not addressed correctly in future episodes.
Ameya Khopkar, who heads the MNS’ film wing, took to his X handle and shared a video from Kapil Sharma’s Netflix show in which Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem were seen referring to Mumbai as Bombay while narrating a story.
In the caption of his post, Ameya wrote in Marathi, “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 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.”
Check out the post below:
#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
Ameya told ANI that the city’s name should always be Mumbai, emphasizing that the repeated usage of ‘Bombay’ on Kapil’s show was seen as disrespectful. “The name of this city is Mumbai. On Kapil’s show, since long we have seen that the city is always referred to as Bombay or Bambai. We oppose this. It’s not an objection, it’s anger. The name of this city is Mumbai. If you can address other cities by their proper names like Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, why insult our city?” he said.
Warning Kapil directly, Khopkar said, “You (Kapil) have been working in Mumbai for so many years… Mumbai has been your karmabhoomi. The people of Mumbai like you and watch your shows. Mumbai is in our hearts, don’t insult this city, don’t insult the people of Mumbai… I am warning Kapil Sharma.”
He also asked the show’s team to instruct guests and anchors not to use the word ‘Bombay’ in future episodes. “I request you that if this has happened by mistake, then correct the mistake… Whoever comes on your show, whether they are celebrities or the anchor, tell them first that they must not call Mumbai as Bombay or Bambai. If this does not happen, then the MNS will launch a strong agitation,” Khopkar stated.
Clarifying that the warning is not politically motivated ahead of local elections, Khopkar added, “We have been agitating on this issue for many years. Keep elections aside, the name of this city is Mumbai. You will have to say Mumbai. And those who do not call it so, will have to face our anger.”
About The Great Indian Kapil Show
The Great Indian Kapil Show, which premiered in June this year, features popular comedians such as Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, and Sunil Grover, with Archana Puran Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu appearing as special guests.
