How do you solve a problem called Mundhe? Please sing it to the tune of “How do you solve a problem called Maria?” from the classic, The Sound of Music. Maharashtra cadre IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe (2005 batch) is causing full dhamaal in Mumbai as a non-compromising FDA Commissioner, energetically digging for dirt in cafeterias, dhaabas, food stalls, five-star hotel outlets and private clubs, including the Bombay High Court canteens.
Popularly called “Real Life Singham”, he is one of the most feared (and admired) individuals dotting the overcrowded media space, with fawning groupies following (and wildly cheering) him wherever he goes. Dressed in a trademark blue “office shirt”, a permanent smirk on his face, Mundhe has acquired superstar status in a remarkably short period of time. Paps love him. He is perceived as a “cool babu”, who goes about his job with the ruthlessness of a Genghis Khan. At the moment, Tukaram Mundhe is unstoppable. A social media phenomenon, outstripping top Bollywood heroes in the fame game.
Mumbai’s extraordinary man
A Tukaram Mundhe type of character cannot be manufactured by even the canniest marketing gurus. His fandom is based on Mumbaikars elevating him to unusual heights. Why? Because Tukaram Mundhe is a rarity. An honest IAS officer who takes his job seriously. A bit too seriously, insist detractors, pointing out his 25 transfers in 21 years. These transfers have become his badges of honour. Invisible medals he can proudly flaunt. But. But. When did India’s civil servants become rockstars? Check out Mundhe’s multiple fan pages and reels.
While watching a recent clip of Mundhe being welcomed at an event, it was terrific to note how his unassuming “entry” generated as big a buzz as Ranveer Singh’s choreographed arrival at any public event.
Mundhe deftly ducked hundreds of phone cameras capturing his every step as he made his way to the stage. Once there, he delivered a sober, no-nonsense speech minus histrionics or frills. Later, when asked about the biggest challenge he has faced by a TV anchor on a prime-time show, he answered simply, “I challenge myself – nobody else.” What about his “arrogant” style during raids? A measured response followed. “These are the realities of India,” he pointed out, talking about our lax standards when it comes to basic hygiene and food safety.
He is right, of course. We have always been a bit too casual about what we eat, how we eat it, where it comes from, how it’s stored. Rats, mice, cockroaches and flies in fancy kitchens? Of course! Stray dogs and cats as well. Crows, kites, pigeons—it’s always open house and all are welcome. Tukaram Mundhe’s zealous loyalty to rules has woken us up to our very cosy relationship with creepy crawlies invading food stuff and eventually corroding our gut and spreading disease. He has made us stop in our tracks, mid-meal, and wonder if what we have just consumed is contaminated, toxic and likely to make us ill.
This may be a short-term romance with an unusual bureaucrat, who may be prepping for his next posting. But going by his track record, we know this much—Mundhe has consistently given indigestion to the powers that be. His strict enforcement of rules and a rigid adherence to protocol do not sit well with his political bosses, as was evident after he was shunted out as the “Waterman of Maharashtra” for his forward-thinking water conservation scheme under the Jalyukt Shivar programme in Solapur, where he was posted as a district collector.
Known for his hands-on approach, he ruffled several VIP feathers as the Commissioner of Navi Mumbai with his action against unauthorised constructions and hoardings, introducing an unheard-of “Walk with the Commissioner” approach to the straight-laced administration, unaccustomed to dynamic officers like Mundhe leading from the front.
Born into a modest farming family, Tukaram Mundhe studied in a Zilla Parishad school, worked hard and cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2004 with an All India rank of 20. What an extraordinary story of determination and self-belief. Married to Archana, a software engineer, food blogger and author, the Mundhes are parents to two children. It is the kind of near folk-loric story that lends itself to a biopic. I nominate the hugely talented Vikrant Massey to play Tukaram Mundhe.
A divorce that wasn’t
Lusty cries of “Govinda Aala Re, Aala” is how Mumbaikars celebrate Gokulashtami, which falls on 4 September. But this year, popular actor Govinda is busy grabbing headlines over a divorce that wasn’t. This is not a trite comment on the Govinda-Sunita Ahuja controversy that has triggered a huge debate, with fans pitching in to play judge and executioner. Rather than seeing it as just another Bollywood ‘scandal’, let’s flip the coin. Sunita Ahuja, Govinda’s wife, filed for divorce in December 2024, citing cruelty and desertion. Recently, she appeared at the family court in Bandra and dropped the old case. But not before publicly bad-mouthing Govinda.
She accused her husband of having an affair with a much younger woman. (“Beti ki umar ki ladki”). Komal Rani Swarnkar, the ‘other woman’, made zero comments. But Govinda advised his wife to watch her words after she referred to him as Komal Rani’s “Sugar Daddy”. Here’s the thing: several voices urged Sunita to hang in there. Not out of love for her husband, but to protect her own turf and enjoy Govinda’s money—which, they pointed out, Komal Rani was clearly after.
This is a whole new approach to sorting out a personal matter on a public platform. Showbiz divorces are often conducted amid secrecy, with much sympathy reserved for the long-suffering wife, invariably projected as a victim/ martyr.
Here, we see a feisty, outspoken star-wife exposing her wealthy husband and issuing marching orders to the intruder. Some are hailing Sunita as a true ‘feminist’ for not meekly surrendering her position and status as Govinda’s wife and mother of his two kids. The jury is out: Should Sunita slug it out and refuse to let go? Or should she fight fiercely for generous alimony and leave it there? Does self-respect not enter the picture at all? Ufffff…
Either way, the emotional payout is going to be tough on all. Good luck!
Also read: Bollywood has never looked this uncool. Salman calling Sonam Wangchuk ‘bro’ was cringe
Hero No 1
Rahul Gandhi roared: “You belong to nobody!” in Pune. “You belong to yourself!” It’s a seriously ‘serious’ statement that smashes through centuries of patriarchy, packaging, propaganda and brainwashing.
Young women of India – rejoice! Your Hero No. 1 has spoken!
Shobhaa De is an author, columnist, social commentator, and opinion-shaper. She has written 20 books. She tweets @DeShobhaa. Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)