Kunal Kamra vs Shiv Sena: Mumbai’s Habitat studio ‘shutting down’ after comedian’s joke on Eknath Shinde sparks row

Kunal Kamra vs Shiv Sena: Mumbai's Habitat studio is “shutting down” after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's joke on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to widespread anger and vandalism of the studio.

The studio released a statement saying it would figure out “the best way to provide a platform for free expression.”

Mumbai's Habitat Studio on the incident

The Habitat, on its Instagram handle, said, “We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer [sic].”

“We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy,” it added.

Earlier, it stated that it was not associated with the making of Kunal Kamra's video and "does not endorse the views expressed by it".

"We extend a sincere and heartfelt apology to all those hurt by this video," it stated.

Incidentally, the Habitat is the same venue where the controversial India’s Got Latent episode, in which YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia made “disgusting” comments, was filmed. Continuing its streak of hosting controversial shows, the Habitat is again at the centre of a storm, this time a political one.

The police registered a case against approximately 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Studio in Mumbai's Khar area, where Kunal Kamra’s standup special, Naya Bharat, was filmed.

Another FIR was registered by the Khar police against 19 Shiv Sena functionaries, including Rahul Kanal (Yuva Sena), Vibhag Pramukh Kunal Sarmarkar and Akshay Panvelkar, and 15 to 20 unidentified persons for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Studio as well as ransacking the hotel properties, an official said.

What happened between Shiv Sena and Kunal Kamra?

Kunal Kamra, in a two-minute video, allegedly made defamatory remarks against Eknath Shinde, calling him "gaddar" ("traitor") and taunting him with a modified version of a Hindi song from the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai.

Following the release of Kunal Kamra's satirical performance, a group of Shiv Sena workers stormed the venue on the first floor of Hotel UniContinental on Sunday night. They allegedly vandalised the studio and the hotel premises, the police said.

Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal's stern warning to Kunal Kamra

Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal on Monday gave a strong message to Kunal Kamra, saying, “Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai (This is just a trailer, the movie is still remaining.)”

“It is not about taking any law in your hands. It is purely about your self-respect. When it comes to elders or respectable citizens of the country... when your elders are targeted, you will target someone of that mentality... The message (for Kunal Kamra) is clear, 'Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai.' Whenever you are in Mumbai, you will get a good lesson in Shiv Sena style,” PTI quoted him.

Meanwhile, Sub-inspector Vijay of Khar police station stated that the Shinde Sena's youth faction came to the venue while standup comedian Rajat Sood was performing, forced the show to be closed down and ransacked the set.

Under the Maharashtra Police Act, an FIR has been filed under Sections 132, 189(2), 189(3), 190, 191(2), 324(5), 324(6), 223, 351 (2), 352, 333, 37(1), 135 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and also under sections 37 (1) and 135.