Mumbai's Habitat Studio shuts down after vandalism over Kunal Kamra show: 'Till we...'

Habitat Comedy Club in Khar

The Habitat Studio, which was attacked by Shiv Sena workers after comedian Kunal Kamra’s jokes allegedly targeting party president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Monday announced in an Instagram post that it was shutting down temporarily.

"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 statement read.

Habitat said it has decided 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".

"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 post read.

Habitat Studio was also the venue of the 'India's Got Latent' episode featuring Ranveer Ahllabadia and Samay Raina, among others, that recently stocked a massive controversy over a vulgar joke involving parents.

The studio clarified it was not involved in the making of Kunal Kamra's latest 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 said after a group of Sena workers entered the premises in Khar and damaged property in protest against the comic's remarks against Shinde.

Kamra sang a parody version of 'Bholi Si Surat', a popular song from the 1997 blockbuster 'Dil To Pagal Hai', allegedly targeting Shinde.

He used the term "gaddar" (traitor) against the Shiv Sena leader, who led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, bringing down his government and splitting the party. Multiple FIRs have been filed against the comic, including one based on a complaint by minister Pratap Sarnaik.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also reacted to the controversy and said that while the Constitution does entitle every citizen with freedom of speech and expression, the rights also come with certain limitations.

"The Constitution gives us freedom but it is not absolute, you cannot encroach on others' freedom. There are limitations to it," he said while asking Kamra to apologise for his remarks.