Hansal Mehta recalls on 25-year-old Shiv Sena attack

Following his support for comedian Kunal Kamra amid the controversy over his alleged remark about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, filmmaker Hansal Mehta reflected on his own past ordeal. He recounted facing public humiliation from the undivided Shiv Sena after the release of 'Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar' (2000) and admitted turning to alcohol for comfort during that difficult time.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Hansal shared his experience of trauma following the release of Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar (2000). He noted that while such experiences are now recognized as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and better understood, at the time, alcohol was the only coping mechanism he knew. Mehta recalled feeling completely shattered—not only had his film failed, but just four weeks later, amid financial losses, a group stormed into his office, vandalized it, and blackened his face. They then ordered him to return the next day and apologize, intending to turn it into an even bigger public humiliation.

Mehta recounted being forced to apologize before a crowd of 10,000 people, but he emphasized that the apology itself wasn’t what affected him most. Over time, he came to understand that those who violate self-respect and freedom aren’t tied to a specific ideology or party—they are driven by a hunger for power and operate as nameless, faceless cowards. He realized that he was not the coward in the situation; rather, he had been attacked by cowards. This realization, he said, ultimately helped him find his voice.

He highlighted the Supreme Court’s recent remarks on protecting freedom of speech and expression, saying that reading such news gave him hope. He emphasized that even in dark times, a glimmer of hope remains—found in storytellers, performers, and those who live beyond themselves. According to Mehta, true freedom isn’t granted by governments or laws, which he called "artificial freedom," but rather the freedom one gives oneself to express and feel. During the discussion, he also delved into various aspects of his personal and professional journey.

The filmmaker ventured into filmmaking with 'Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar', featuring Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu, and Saurabh Shukla. He later directed films like 'Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai?' and 'Woodstock Villa'. However, it was Shahid that earned him critical acclaim and a National Film Award for Best Direction. Over the years, he worked on films like 'Citylights', 'Simran', and 'The Buckingham Murders', but his biggest success came through OTT platforms with shows like 'Scam 1992' and 'Scoop'. Mehta began his career directing Khana Khazana, Sanjeev Kapoor’s popular cookery show, before transitioning to Bollywood filmmaking.