Popular Marathi actor Shashank Ketkar, known for his role as ‘Shree’ in the hit Zee Marathi series "Honar Soon Mi Hya Gharchi", has strongly criticized the government over road safety and administrative negligence in a video posted on Instagram. The video, which is rapidly going viral on social media, highlights a dangerous tree left standing in the middle of a road in Mumbai's Madh Island area.
Currently seen in the TV series Muramba, Ketkar is also known for voicing his opinions on social issues. In his latest post, he draws attention to the poor condition of roads, non-functional street lights, and the administration's apathetic attitude.
In his caption, Ketkar wrote,
“The country is developing, and I’m happy and proud of that. But there are millions of small, ignored issues like this. This isn’t even corruption — it’s just boredom, negligence, and a ‘chalta hai’ attitude.”
He backed up his statement by sharing a video showing a large tree dangerously positioned in the middle of a road. The actor questioned why such a basic safety hazard had been ignored, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
“Monsoon is arriving. If it’s raining heavily, the street lights are off, and someone doesn’t see the tree in the middle of the road... then what? Maybe some people will laugh at this concern, but deep down, everyone knows it’s true,” he said.
He went on to question why the tree was left there even after the road was newly constructed:
“In Japan, trees are uprooted and replanted elsewhere. I’m not even demanding that much. But why were these two trees left? Are they meant for beautification or to serve as dividers? I still don’t understand.”
Shashank also offered a practical solution, expressing his willingness to personally sponsor reflectors if the authorities failed to act. He appealed to civic officials and local leaders to take the issue seriously.
Ketkar’s video has received a wave of support from citizens, social activists, and fellow artists, many of whom echoed his concerns and demanded immediate action from the authorities. The post has sparked a wider conversation around civic safety and accountability, especially with the onset of the monsoon season.