Kunal Kohli slams cracker bursting outside Khar Hinduja hospital on Diwali
Synopsis
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli's Diwali turned alarming when he rushed his mother to Khar Hinduja Hospital and found residents bursting loud crackers right outside the gates — ignoring his polite requests and even telling him the hospital was 'in the wrong place.' His BMC-tagged post has put a spotlight on the persistent failure to enforce hospital silence zones during festive nights.
Key Takeaways
Kunal Kohli posted on X about residents bursting loud crackers outside Khar Hinduja Hospital, Khar , on Diwali night .
Kohli had taken his mother to the hospital for emergency medical care when the incident occurred.
A resident reportedly dismissed his appeal, saying 'hospital galat jagah pe hai — hum yahan 40 saal se hain' and continued bursting crackers.
Kohli tagged @mybmc in his post, drawing attention to the lack of enforcement of silence zone norms near hospitals.
Indian law prohibits firecrackers within 100 metres of hospitals, though enforcement during festive nights is widely reported to be absent.
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli on Diwali night called out residents for bursting loud firecrackers just outside the gates of Khar Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, after he rushed his mother there for emergency medical care. His post on X tagged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and sparked a wider conversation about noise pollution near healthcare facilities.
What Happened Outside the Hospital
Kohli recounted that despite politely requesting those gathered near the hospital gate to refrain from bursting loud crackers, at least one man brushed off his appeal. The man reportedly told Kohli that the hospital was in the wrong location, asserting that he and other residents had been living in the neighbourhood for 40 years and would continue as they pleased.
Kohli quoted the exchange directly in his post: 'hospital galat jagah pe hai — hum yahan 40 saal se hain', adding that the man went on to burst more loud crackers immediately after.
The Filmmaker's Social Media Appeal
'Took my mom for an Emergency to Khar Hinduja hospital tonight, Diwali night. Sadly some residents were burning loud bombs just outside the hospital gate. I politely requested them to burn all crackers except loud bombs outside the hospital gates,' Kohli wrote on X. He tagged @mybmc, the official handle of the municipal body, drawing attention to the apparent lack of enforcement of noise norms in hospital zones.
Notably, Indian law designates areas within 100 metres of hospitals, educational institutions, and courts as silence zones, where firecrackers and loud speakers are prohibited. Critics argue enforcement of these norms during festive nights remains largely absent in many parts of Mumbai.
Who Is Kunal Kohli
Kohli began his career as a film critic in the late 1990s and hosted Chalo Cinema on EL TV before transitioning to direction. He is best known for directing Hum Tum, Fanaa, and Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, among other titles. His most recent film as director, Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story (2025), stars Vardhan Puri and Kaveri Kapur in lead roles, with Nisha Aaliya and Lillete Dubey in supporting parts.
The Broader Issue of Hospital Silence Zones
This is far from an isolated complaint. Every Diwali season, hospitals across Indian cities report spikes in patients — both for firecracker-related injuries and for those whose existing conditions are aggravated by noise and smoke. This comes amid growing calls from medical associations for stricter municipal policing of silence zones during festivals. As of now, BMC had not publicly responded to Kohli's post. All eyes will be on whether civic authorities act on the complaint or allow the matter to pass without consequence.
Point of View
Not just a neighbourly dispute. India has clear noise-pollution rules designating hospital precincts as silence zones, yet enforcement collapses precisely when it matters most — during Diwali, Holi, or New Year's Eve. The resident's rejoinder that 'the hospital is in the wrong place' reflects a cultural inversion where civic obligation is outsourced to institutions rather than individuals. That a well-known filmmaker had to tag the BMC publicly to even register the complaint says more about the state of proactive municipal enforcement than about Diwali traditions.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kunal Kohli post about on Diwali night?
Kunal Kohli posted on X about residents bursting loud firecrackers right outside the gates of Khar Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai while he was there with his mother for emergency medical care on Diwali night. He tagged the BMC in the post, calling for action against the noise norm violation.
What did the resident say to Kunal Kohli when he asked them to stop?
According to Kohli's post, one resident told him 'hospital galat jagah pe hai — hum yahan 40 saal se hain' (the hospital is in the wrong place — we have been living here for 40 years) and continued bursting loud crackers. Kohli recounted the exchange directly on X.
Are firecrackers banned near hospitals in India?
Yes. Under Indian noise-pollution regulations, areas within 100 metres of hospitals, schools, and courts are designated silence zones where firecrackers and loudspeakers are prohibited. Enforcement of these norms, however, is widely reported to be lax during major festivals.
Which hospital was Kunal Kohli's mother taken to?
Kohli's mother was taken to Khar Hinduja Hospital in the Khar area of Mumbai for emergency medical care on Diwali night. The hospital falls within a designated silence zone under municipal regulations.
What films has Kunal Kohli directed?
Kunal Kohli is best known for directing Hum Tum, Fanaa, and Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, among other films. His most recent directorial venture is Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story (2025), starring Vardhan Puri and Kaveri Kapur.
