On March 24, 2025. The thriving comedy culture in Mumbai underwent turmoil following comedian Kunal Kamra’s mocking performance directed at Eknath Shinde. He is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The fallout from this minor scandal included a vandalism incident perpetrated by supporters of the Shiv Sena party. They are Kamra’s opponents.
Shockingly, they demolished an operation conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) against The Habitat Studio. It is the venue where Kamra performed.
Kunal Kamra’s Mock Performance
In a recent performance, Kunal Kamra retitled and replaced the lyrics of the song ‘Bholi Si Surat’ from the 1997 film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai. In order to depict Eknath Shinde as a ‘gaddar’ (traitor).
This uncomfortable performance of Kamra depicted Shinde’s recent ‘defection’ from the Shiv Sena in 2022.
Consequently, it was successfully liberalizing the party and effectively toppling Uddhav Thackeray’s government.
Subsequently, shared this performance with his followers on Instagram. It quickly went viral and elicited outrage from members of the Shiv Sena party.
Shiv Sena Response and Vandalism
The parody did not sit well with the supporters of the Shiv Sena party. In fact, on March 23, 2025, a group of workers stormed The Habitat Studio. It is located in the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbai’s Khar district.
The group behaved violently and destructively to the venue because of Kamra’s humorous contagion of their leader.
The protesters partook in damaging property and threatened more action against the comedian.
Naresh Mhaske, a lawmaker with Shiv Sena, issued a chilling warning to Kamra that party workers would pursue him “to the end of the country”.
Hence, it may lead to Kamra leaving India altogether.
BMC Demolitions
Following the vandalism, the BMC began its demotion drive at The Habitat Studio on March 24, 2025.
BMC officials appeared on the site with hammers and demolished sections of the studio citing “violations of municipal regulations.”
The specifics of those violations were not disclosed immediately. The BMC is currently overseen by an IAS officer due to pending elections.
It acts under the ruling coalition’s influence. Secondly, this raises questions on the timing and intentions behind the demolitions of The Habitat Studio.
Closing The Habitat Studio
In response to what occurred, The Habitat Studio announced a closure. The management of the venue expressed shock and concern regarding the vandalism.
They stated that they would remain closed until they could create a platform for free expression without harming their property and endangering safety.
They also mentioned they had no part in the video made by Kamra and whether the views in the video were their own or not.
The studio offered a sincere apology to all offended by the offensive material.
Kunal Kamra’s recent gig has stirred political controversy, leading to the demolition of a comedy club in Mumbai amid protests by Shiv Sena. Read more on this and other breaking updates in our Latest India News section.
