Mumbai Studio Demolished After Shiv Sena Vandalism Over Kunal Kamra’s Stand-Up

Amid the outcry over Shiv Sena activists vandalising a Mumbai studio in protest against comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks about party leader Eknath Shinde, the city's municipal authority has conducted a demolition inside the studio, citing breaches of regulations.

Staff from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) arrived at the Khar studio today armed with hammers and carried out the demolition. Specific details about the violations that prompted this action are yet to be disclosed.

Photo Credit: PTI

However, sources have claimed that the studio's premises occupy an encroached space between two hotels.

The BMC is currently led by an IAS officer, and with its elections overdue, the ruling coalition holds sway over the civic body. Given this context, the move against the Mumbai studio is expected to attract fierce criticism from the Opposition and intensify the ongoing controversy.

Earlier today, the management of The Habitat Studio in Mumbai announced they were temporarily closing the venue, stressing that they are not accountable for the opinions of artists who perform there.

"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."

"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. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers' rights," the studio stated.

The studio also clarified that it had no role in producing Kunal Kamra's latest video and "does not endorse the views expressed". "We extend a sincere and heartfelt apology to all those hurt by this video," it said.

In a performance filmed last month, Kunal Kamra took aim at Shinde with a satirical take on 'Bholi Si Surat', a well-known song from the 1997 hit 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.

He labelled the Shiv Sena leader a "gaddar" (traitor), a reference to Shinde's 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, which toppled Thackeray's government and split the party.

Several FIRs have been lodged against the comedian, including one based on a complaint by minister Pratap Sarnaik.