Shilpa Shetty Calls Herself 'Maharashtra Chi Mulgi', Refuses To Get Into Marathi-Hindi Language Row
At the teaser launch of her upcoming film KD – The Devil, actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra made a brief but impactful statement that resonated far beyond the glitz of the event. Dressed elegantly in a pink saree, Shilpa responded to the ongoing discourse around the Marathi-Hindi language divide with just one sentence — but it was enough to win hearts and strike a powerful chord.
'Mala Marathi mahit ahe, me Maharashtra chi mulgi ahe," she declared. ('I can speak Marathi. I am Maharashtra's daughter.")
Maharashtra has been at the epicentre of a growing language controversy, where tensions between Hindi and Marathi speakers have escalated, often spilling into confrontations. Political parties like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have been accused of aggressive tactics, allegedly targeting individuals and businesses that do not use Marathi in signage or speech. The debate has reignited questions around linguistic inclusivity, regional identity, and the place of Hindi in India's most cosmopolitan state.
Veteran playback singer Udit Narayan also addressed the issue recently. In a statement to IANS, he said,
'We live in Maharashtra and it is my 'Karma bhoomi' (workplace). So, the language here is also important. Along with that, all the languages in our country are equally important."
Udit's diplomatic take acknowledged the cultural significance of Marathi while emphasising India's multilingual fabric.
Adding depth to the conversation, Shikhar Pahariya—entrepreneur and rumoured partner of actress Janhvi Kapoor—shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, challenging the notion of linguistic purity being enforced through intimidation.
'Marathi Asmita is real. It is deep, emotional, and rooted in our way of life," he wrote, but warned,
'That pride cannot come at the cost of others' dignity… We cannot keep a language alive through fear."
Shikhar, who hails from Solapur, highlighted that just as people migrate to Mumbai and Pune for work, Marathi-speaking individuals also relocate to cities like Delhi and Chennai. 'Imagine if they were made to feel unwelcome there… When people are struggling and working hard, away from their families, this imposition through violent action is unacceptable."
He concluded with a powerful message of inclusivity, 'Let our Marathi Asmita shine through inclusion, not intimidation. Let us protect Marathi by celebrating it, not weaponising it."
First Published:
July 10, 2025, 16:08 IST
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