What’s Habitat, Mumbai studio now shut down after Kunal Kamra’s controversial show?

A major controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra dubbed state Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a “traitor” during his “Naya Bharat” performance in Mumbai’s Habitat Studio.

Shiv Sena party leaders were incensed by Kamra’s comments and vandalised the Habitat premises .

In relation to the vandalism, the Mumbai Police have arrested 12 individuals thus far, including Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal.

Here’s all we know about the studio.

What is The Habitat?

According to their website, The Habitat is an “intimate 55-70 seater for music, standup comedy, poetry, alternate events” venue situated in Mumbai’s Khar, a posh and well-connected area.

Stand-up comedians such as Gaurav Kapoor, Shaurya Tyagi, Sonali Thakker, Biswa Kalyan Rath, and Kaneex Surka have performed at the studio located inside Hotel UniContinental.

The Habitat Club was founded in 2016 by Mumbai-based Punjabi businessman Balraj Singh Ghai. His Instagram bio says he “loves people who use talent for nonsense.”

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After graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (IHMCTAN) in 2009, Ghai took over his father’s 53-room hotel and transformed it into a venue that serves food, beverages, and live acts.

He came up with the concept for The Habitat because he felt that Mumbai lacked spaces that could accommodate live art forms.

According to his LinkedIn bio, the Habitat Club also consists of Pind Da Dhaba and The Habitat Canteen.

Also read:  From locking horns with VHP to heckling Arnab Goswami, comedian Kunal Kamra's 'not-so-funny' moments

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Why is it under fire?

The Habitat is currently in the centre of a storm because comedian Kunal Kamra’s latest show, during which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Eknath Shinde, was filmed at this venue.

The studio was ransacked late Sunday night by irate Shiv Sainiks, who were later arrested.

According to PTI, Mumbai’s civic body on Monday checked the venue and it was reported that they had razed the structure of the basement, where the studio was created.

However, a BMC official later clarified they had razed a temporary structure in the open space of the hotel.

“The basement structure has not been razed as yet. We have taken measurements of the basement where the studio has been set up. We razed a temporary structure in the open space of the hotel,” an official said.

Is this the first time?

No.

Previously, the studio was in the news for hosting the controversial India’s Got Latent, which was pulled down by its creator Samay Raina after a massive row over influencer Ranveer Allahbadia’s “watch your parents have sex” remark.

Notably, Ghai was one of the judges and a producer of Raina’s show.

YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and Apoorva Makhija were all named in a formal complaint that was submitted earlier this month. While investigating the case, a Mumbai Police team had visited the location.

What is The Habitat saying?

The Habitat Studio released a statement on Monday after Shiv Sainiks vandalised it on Sunday night, asserting that it just offers artists a venue to play and encourages creative discourse.

“We urge constructive conversations, not destruction, to address disagreements. We do not support hate or harm of any kind. Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of art and dialogue,” The Habitat said in a post on its Instagram page.

“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,” the comedy club said.

“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.

The Habitat also said that it was not involved in its making and “does not endorse the views expressed by it.”

“We extend a sincere and heartfelt apology to all those hurt by this video,” it said.

Due to the studio’s abrupt closure, a number of the upcoming events have been cancelled, including Harsh Shah’s Stories On Stage (SOS) on March 26, Almost All Stars: Standup Comedy (March 27 to May 9), Not a Crowdwork Comedy Show featuring multiple artists (until May 23), Mushaira Night (April 2), and Storytellers Night (April 9).

What is the Kamra-Shinde controversy?

In a two-minute-long video, Kunal Kamra allegedly made defamatory remarks against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

He described the Shinde uprising against his former boss, Uddhav Thackeray, in 2022 using a modified version of a Hindi song from the 1997 movie Dil Toh Pagal Hai. With the BJP’s backing, he said Shinde then went on to become the Chief Minister.

The clip is part of the 45-minute video, “Naya Bharat,” which Kamra uploaded on his YouTube channel Sunday.

Soon after the video went viral, Kamra was booked for defamation after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel lodged an FIR against him at the MIDC Police Station in Mumbai.

In his response, Kamra shared a photo of himself holding a pocket version of the Constitution of India and wrote, “The only way forward.”

On Monday night, the 36-year-old comic maintained that he would not apologise for his remarks.

“I will not apologise… I don’t fear this mob and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” Kamra wrote and added that his statement was exactly what “Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM).”