Comedian Kunal Kamra has publicly criticized Bollywood production giant T-Series. His latest stand-up special, Naya Bharat, was flagged and blocked on YouTube due to copyright infringement. Kamra’s special contains satirical jokes about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This has sparked controversy and added fuel to an ongoing debate about freedom of expression and the limits of satire in India.
T-Series Flags Kamra’s Video for Copyright Violations
T-Series issued a copyright infringement notice against Kamra’s video for using the song Bholi Si Surat Aankhon Masti from the Bollywood film Dil To Pagal Hai. As a result, the video has been blocked on YouTube and is no longer accessible to viewers. Additionally, any revenue generated by the video has been restricted due to the copyright claims.
Kamra responded to the takedown by criticizing T-Series in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “Hello @TSeries, stop being a stooge.” He argued that his use of the song falls under the legal provisions of parody and satire, which are protected by fair use. “I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song,” Kamra clarified, defending his creative choices.
The comedian went on to highlight the broader implications of T-Series’ action. He warned other creators, “If you take this video down, every cover song/dance video can be taken down. Creators, please take note of it. Having said that, every monopoly in India is nothing short of Mafia. So please watch/download this special before it’s taken down,” Kamra added, while cheekily noting, “FYI – T-Series, I stay in Tamil Nadu.”
Kamra also shared a screenshot of YouTube’s notification, showing that Naya Bharat had been blocked due to copyright restrictions.
T-Series’ Official Response
In response to Kamra’s remarks, T-Series issued a statement defending its actions. According to a spokesperson for the company, “Mr. Kunal Kamra has not taken any authorization or approval for the usage of the underlying musical work in the song. Hence the content has been blocked for infringement of composition rights.”
Kamra Takes a Jab at Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal
Kamra’s special also reignited his ongoing feud with Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal. During the performance, Kamra responded to an audience member’s question about Ola scooters catching fire. He delivered sharp jabs at Aggarwal and his handling of customer complaints.
“Indian businessmen don’t even admit when they’re wrong. Take the Ola guy, for example. What did I say that made him so angry? It’s simple—you manufacture two-wheelers, and neither of the wheels works. And yet, he tells me, ‘Come work with us, let’s build India together,’” Kamra quipped, recalling his earlier spat with Aggarwal.
He further criticized Aggarwal’s focus on launching new scooter colors instead of addressing more pressing technical issues. “Maybe a different shade will fix the problem,” Kamra joked. He added that Aggarwal should prioritize issuing refunds to dissatisfied customers rather than offering him money.
The Debate Over Free Speech and Satire
Kamra’s video takedown has reignited the conversation about whether comedians should be held accountable for their remarks. Alternatively, they could be allowed greater creative freedom under the umbrella of satire and parody. The comedian’s social media post also included a poll asking users whether comedians should be responsible for their jokes. The options included “It varies case by case,” “No, it’s all in good humor,” and “Yes, they need to be responsible.”
With Naya Bharat now embroiled in controversy, Kamra continues to use humor as a tool for political and social commentary. He faces criticism, copyright challenges, and ongoing debates about the boundaries of satire in India.
