Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said he has deleted a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani from his social media handles following a 'request' from the Mumbai Police commissioner.
Interestingly, Thackeray's claim comes days after Mumbai Police issued legal notices to 24 'X' (formerly Twitter) account holders after they shared the controversial documentary posted by tech entrepreneur Sabir Bhatia.
Reacting sharply, MNS leaders wondered whether the police are under pressure to make such a request.
Thackeray claimed that the film, made by Hotmail founder Sabir Bhatia, had already garnered over 48 lakh views on X after being posted to enlighten the public.
The MNS chief said he has been raising the issue of close ties between Adani and PM Modi since January 2026, before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
"The Mumbai and Maharashtra Police are the most efficient police force in the country, and I have always had respect for them in my heart. I am just honouring the request made by the head of such a Mumbai Police," he said in a post on X.
He said the documentary provides complete information on how old the friendship between Adani and PM Modi is.
Thackeray noted that while Bhatia produced the documentary recently, he had already delivered a major presentation back in January 2026 at his residence, Shivteerth, illustrating how the Adani Group is effectively setting out to swallow the entire nation.
That presentation received an exceptional response, and those videos remain available on his social media to this day, he said, adding that some clips were incorporated into the documentary.
I shared a documentary by Sabir Bhatia on my social media detailing the long-standing friendship between Gautam Adani and Narendra Modi, and how the Indian industrial landscape is consequently being handed over to Adani. It garnered over 4.8 million views on Twitter alone and received an overwhelming response on Facebook as well, not to mention the additional, uncounted views from shares by others.My intention was for this serious issue to reach the public, and that objective has been achieved. While Sabir Bhatia produced this documentary recently, I had already delivered a major presentation back in January 2026 at Shivtirth in Mumbai, illustrating how the Adani Group is effectively setting out to swallow the entire nation.That presentation received an exceptional response, and those videos remain available on my social media to this day. In fact, some clips from our presentation were even incorporated into this documentary. Anyways.I have clarified my stance on this matter time and again: my opposition is not directed at any specific individual, but rather against the rise of a monopoly. I have often stated in my speeches that the Prime Minister should foster the growth of many industrialists across the country, creating vast employment opportunities and generating immense wealth for the nation, and empower them to conquer global markets.However, if the government chooses to favor only one person to the point where it poses a threat to the nation, we oppose it and will continue to do so. My opposition is, therefore, directed against any form of monopoly, whether it involves Adani or anyone else.Even now, the central government has directed the state government to hand over several hundred hectares of forest land in Bhimashankar to the Gujarat-based Torrent Group. This government has handed over vast tracts of forest and wilderness land in Maharashtra to a select group of industrialist friends, and it plans to hand over even more! I care little about which political party anyone belongs to; however, as citizens of Maharashtra, how can you remain so indifferent while our state is being sold off right before your very eyes? Does it not even spark a sense of outrage among our Marathi Members of Parliament, MLAs, and ministers to see this happening? Such total submission to power is entirely inconsistent with the history, traditions, and culture of Maharashtra. Why, then, do you bother raising slogans in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or putting on a farce by singing the state anthem? Anyway..Sabeer Bhatia’s documentary received such an overwhelming response that it was only natural for those in power to grow anxious, fearing that their secrets might be exposed. The intensity of this fear must have been significant, as I received a request, conveyed through the Mumbai Police Commissioner, to take it down.My primary objective, both during the meeting in January 2026 and through the subsequent posting of this documentary, was and remains, to enlighten the nation. However, the request I received came from the Mumbai Police Commissioner. The Mumbai and Maharashtra Police forces are among the most efficient in the country, and I have always held them in high regard. Out of respect for the head of the Mumbai Police, I am choosing to honor this request.Therefore, I am deleting the post containing the documentary. The fire has already been ignited. In January 2026, from Shivteerth, I ignited a spark against the authoritarianism in this country, that has now grown into a raging wildfire. Our struggle continues. Our post from January 2026 remains exactly where it was, and it will stay there. The documentary we shared was produced by others; our sole objective was to ensure it reached the public, a goal that has been achieved. On this occasion, I am bringing our well-researched analysis of this subject back into the spotlight. I am re-sharing a portion of our January 2026 presentation here; please take another look.
Meanwhile, MNS leaders were surprised by the removal of the documentary, which was screened in one of the party's shakhas (local branch) on Saturday.
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande questioned the Mumbai Police about the need to make the removal request to Thackeray.
"What pressure did Mumbai Police have? Is this the job of the Mumbai Police? They don't have time (to find out) how Bishnoi gang goons come to the city, but they have time to see who posted what video," Deshpande said.
The Bishnoi gang is allegedly involved in a number of attacks on high-profile personalities, including actor Tiger Shroff.
Notably, Mumbai Police issued legal notices to 24 'X' (formerly Twitter) account holders on October 18, days after they shared a controversial documentary posted by Bhatia.
The documentary allegedly contained false, misleading, and disparaging statements and allegations against the company, which were circulated without any factual or lawful basis, causing continuous harm to its reputation, goodwill and public image, according to the notices.
Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray, in a post, said the Union government had directed the state government to hand over several hundred hectares of forest land in Bhimashankar to the Gujarat-based Torrent Group.
This government has handed over vast tracts of forest and wilderness land in Maharashtra to a select group of industrialist friends, and it plans to hand over even more, he alleged.
An MNS functionary said Thackeray will also address a rally in Karjat on October 28 on the issue.