'Hum UP ke log hai, Hindi hi bolenge': When Jaya Bachchan was slammed for 'anti-Marathi' remark, created uproar, Amitabh apolgised, but actress had to.. | Viral video

Amid the Hindi-Marathi conflict, there is a state of tension in Maharashtra. The debate of 'imposing' the Marathi language among the Mumbaikars and other parts of the state has caused quite a stir. Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) united, and their agenda is to prevent the 'threat' to their cultural and linguistic dominance in Maharashtra. The party workers of MNS are going aggressive, forcing people to communicate in Marathi. There are viral videos where the volunteers of the political party are going physical, attacking citizens, vandalising shops of the individuals who don't agree with their ideology, or reject it. 

The ongoing scenario of unrest gives a deja vu of 2008, when migrants were forced to leave Mumbai, as the political parties were 'enforcing' the linguistic identity, and regional pride, above everything. In 2008, there was a conflict of Hindi-Marathi, and at that time, actress and politician Jaya Bachchan made a remark that caused an uproar within the MNS and Shiv Sena. Jaya boasted about speaking Hindi at an event, and it was considered 'anti-Marathi'.

What was the 'anti-Marathi' remark of Jaya Bachchan

During the movie promotions of Abhishek Bachchan's Drona, Jaya Bachchan chose to interact with the media in Hindi. Jaya attended the event with Priyanka Chopra and others. The biggest highlight from the event was Jaya highlighting the fact that she's from Uttar Pradesh and would prefer speaking in Hindi. The Guddi actress said, "Hum UP (Uttar Pradesh) ke log hai, isliye Hindi mein baat karenge. Maharashtra ke log maaf kariye." This remark sparked a controversy. MNS and Shiv Sena slammed her publicly and also demanded a public apology. 

Amitabh Bachchan apologised, but Jaya Bachchan...

Amitabh Bachchan apologised for Jaya Bachchan's remark in his blog and even on a public platform. But the politicians were miffed, and they wanted Jaya's apology.

Watch Amitabh Bachchan's apologising for Jaya Bachchan's remark

Mr @SrBachchan apologised and regretted hurting Marathi emotions due 2 Jaya Ji’s comment on Marathi lang
If such a big superstar understands that something might hv not gone well
If can respect Marathi what’s stopping you ? #marathilanguage issue ?
Love n respect is the key pic.twitter.com/pRiFEDgh98

— Winner (@newterminator1) July 2, 2025

A month after the controversy, around September, Jaya Bachchan apologised for her remark but also clarified that her statement was not to defame Marathi. She said that her statement was misunderstood and it was her comment at those Bollywood actors who despite working in Hindi films prefer to talk in English during interviews.

Also read: 'Dum hai toh mujhe nikaal ke dikhao': Dinesh Lal Yadav gives open challenge, calls Hindi-Marathi conflict 'gandi raajneeti' | Viral video