Mumbai’s Habitat Studio Shuts After Shiv Sena Vandalism Over Kunal Kamra’s Remarks

Mumbai- Mumbai’s popular stand-up comedy venue, The Habitat, has shut down indefinitely after Shiv Sena workers vandalized the premises in response to comedian Kunal Kamra’s jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.

The incident occurred last night when a group of Sena workers stormed the Khar-based studio, damaging property, including cameras, lights, and speakers, in protest against Kamra’s recent performance. The comedian had mocked Shinde with a parody of the song Bholi Si Surat from the 1997 film Dil To Pagal Hai, using the term gaddar (traitor) — a jibe referencing Shinde’s 2022 rebellion that led to the fall of Uddhav Thackeray’s government and the subsequent split in the party.

In a statement posted on Instagram, The Habitat expressed shock and dismay over the attack, announcing its decision to shut down “till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy.” The venue clarified that artists are solely responsible for their creative content and that it does not endorse performers’ views. “The recent events have made us rethink how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are a proxy for the performer,” the statement read.

The Habitat had earlier issued an apology, distancing itself from Kamra’s video and emphasizing that it had no involvement in its creation.

The vandalism has sparked a political row, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticizing the attack. “Only an insecure coward would react to a song,” he remarked, questioning the law and order situation under the current state government.

Defending Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora accused the Opposition of “classist arrogance” and praised Shinde as a “self-made leader.” He said that mocking him reflected a bias against those who rise through merit.