Kunal Kamra criticises T-Series after visibility of 'Naya Bharat' video blocked on YouTube
New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI): Comedian Kunal Kamra on Wednesday criticised Bollywood studio T-Series, alleging that his stand-up special "Naya Bharat", which has kicked up a huge controversy over jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was flagged for copyright violations on YouTube.
Kamra on Wednesday dropped a new video from the comedy special, in which he performed a parody of "Hawa Hawai" from "Mr India" to criticise Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her policies.
The songs of "Mr India", which featured Anil Kapoor and late cinema star Sridevi, belong to T-Series label.
Kamra shared a screenshot from YouTube on X, which showed "Naya Bharat", his new video, has been blocked due to copyright restrictions and therefore is not visible to viewers. Due to copyright claims, the video will not be able to generate revenue as well.
"Hello @TSeries, stop being a stooge. Parody and Satire comes under fair use legally. I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song. If you take this video down every cover song/dance video can be taken down. Creators please take a note of it," the 36-year-old comic said.
"Having said that every monopoly in India is nothing short of Mafia so please watch/download this special before it’s taken down. FYI - T- Series I stay in Tamil Nadu (sic)," he added.
In a statement, a spokesperson of T-Series said, "Mr Kunal Kamra has not taken any authorisation or approval for the usage of the underlying musical work in the song hence the content has been blocked for infringement of composition rights."
"Naya Bharat", which also made jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena and NCP splits, has amassed over 6.7 million views on YouTube.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show took place, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located.
Kamra has said he will not apologise for his comments made in the video.
Hello @TSeries, stop being a stooge.
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 26, 2025
Parody & Satire comes under fair use Legally.
I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song.
If you take this video down every cover song/dance video can be taken down.
Creators please take a note of it.
Having said… pic.twitter.com/Q8HXl1UhMy
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Gujarat: 25 weapons seized; 21 detained for getting arms licences through suspicious means
Surendranagar (PTI): As many as 25 weapons were seized and 21 persons detained in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district for allegedly obtaining arms licences from Nagaland and Manipur through suspicious means and buying firearms using them, police said Sunday.
Of the 21 detained, 17 bought 25 weapons worth about Rs 25 lakh, while others had only got licences made in their names, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Nikunj Patel.
The official said that 14 of these firearm owners have antecedents, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion and mineral theft. A probe is underway to ascertain if the other three have any criminal history, he said.
The official said police recently got input that some persons in Surendranagar district had obtained arms licences from other states, especially two northeastern states.
Police subsequently identified 21 such persons who had got licences from Manipur and Nagaland through agents based in Gujarat, Haryana and the two north-eastern states with the help of bogus documents, the official said.
Using the licences, 17 of them collectively bought 5 pistols, 12 revolvers, and 8 Barbour rifles, from Gujarat and other states. Eight of these individuals kept two weapons each, he said.
“Further action has been taken by seizing the weapons and licences to conduct a thorough investigation into the suspicious licence issue,” said the official.
A team of the district special operations group was sent to the northeastern states to question people from whom licences were obtained, he added.
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