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Honda Motorcycle has withdrawn its sponsorship from “Comedy Night with Champion” after Nepal Communist Party (UML) secretary Mahesh Basnet was invited as a guest. Honda was the show’s second-largest sponsor.
After Basnet’s invitation, Honda expressed concerns and requested the show not to be aired, but the event organizers rejected the request. Following this, Honda pulled its sponsorship.
The show’s trailer sparked widespread discussion and comments on social media. While some criticized the inclusion of Basnet as a guest, the show’s producer and director, Vishal Bhandari, clarified that they do not invite guests based on their political affiliation or ideology and that they support change. He also warned that unnecessary abusive comments could lead to legal action.
A photo of Bhandari with Mahesh Basnet had gone viral. Following Basnet’s inclusion, Honda’s chief legal advisor warned that the broadcast should be stopped, or the company would withdraw its sponsorship. However, the organizers maintained that the show does not endorse any party or ideology, and therefore, the broadcast would proceed. Subsequently, Honda canceled its sponsorship.
In an interview with meropicture.com, Vishal Bhandari confirmed that Honda had indeed withdrawn its sponsorship. According to Bhandari, Honda had raised objections with Himalayan TV regarding the program.
This is possibly the first time in Nepali television history that a program’s sponsorship has been halted due to a political figure’s involvement. After Honda withdrew, the company’s logo was blurred during the broadcast.
The show is available to watch on OSR Reality Channel.
