As a heavy layer of smog keeps covering Mumbai, cutting visibility and causing discomfort, comedian and actor Vir Das has used music to express the city’s growing frustration. His new, self-written and performed song offers a satirical and sharp take on the city’s severe air quality crisis, which recently saw its Air Quality Index (AQI) hit alarming levels.
Vir Das Viral Song on Mumbai AQI
Posted on his Instagram account, the video features Vir Das strumming a ukulele and singing directly to the camera. The song begins with a darkly humorous premise: “Woke up this morning and I took a little breath. God showed up because he thought that I was dead.” He immediately pins the blame on the toxic air, describing life inside a “desi Metro.” The lyrics go on to describe everyday life, even mentioning the famous Bandra-Worli Sea Link, which can hardly be seen from either end because of the smog.
Who is the Song Really Targeting?
The comedy quickly turns into pointed social commentary, questioning the relentless construction across the city. “Builders building every day. Do we need 9000 BHKs?” he sings, directly linking real estate development to the deteriorating environment. The song imagines the distress of families, with the sound of bulldozers booming and a grandfather pleading, “let me die beta, it’s not too soon.” He ends with a coughing fit and a stark warning to developers: “If your customers are dead, who will buy your flat?”
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How are the Authorities Responding?
The situation has forced the judiciary and civic bodies into action. During a recent hearing, the Bombay High Court rejected the claim that a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia was mainly responsible for Mumbai’s pollution. The court stressed that visibility was already low before the eruption. At the same time, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been sending stop-work notices to construction sites that aren’t following dust-control rules, showing that the issue is being addressed locally.
Why is This More Than Just a Song?
Vir Das’s musical protest transcends entertainment; it acts as a cultural barometer for public sentiment. By capturing the everyday struggles—dry throats, closed lungs, and vanished landmarks, in a relatable format, he amplifies a growing public health concern that official statements often fail to convey. The song ties the pollution data to the actual suffocation people feel on the ground, urging everyone to consider one thing: why aren’t we on the same page about fixing this mess?
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