Contrarian stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra (36) is in trouble; yet again. The police have registered an FIR against him for allegedly mocking at deputy chief minister and ruling Shiv Sena supremo Eknath Shinde at a recent performance held at The Habitat Studio inside Unicontinental Hotel near Khar (W) railway station.
The police have also registered an FIR against several cadres of the Shiv Sena for vandalising the hotel. In a swift action, the BMC staff descended at the hotel with hammers and gas cutters on Monday and demolished the stage where Kamra had performed and also other allegedly illegal portions. Habitat management issued a statement saying that it was shutting down the studio for now.
The controversy erupted after Kamra mocked Shinde through a song whose tune was borrowed from the popular ``Dil To Pagal Hai``song. In that he referred to Shinde's humble beginning as an autorickshaw driver of Thane and also called him a traitor for pulling down the Uddhav Thackeray government.
The video of his performance went viral sparking outrage among Shiv Sena (Shinde) supporters. Amid the controversy, two FIRs were registered on Monday: one against Kamra for allegedly defaming Shinde and another against around 40 Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers for allegedly ransacking Unicontinental Hotel where the show was recorded.
On Monday, an unrepentent Kamra released his show 'Naya Bharat' on all his social media platforms. Member of Parliament of Shiv Sena (Thackeray), Sanjay Raut, commented on the video and posted it on his social media. Media outlets picked up the story, causing the video to go viral and intensifying the controversy. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded a public apology from Kamra, but the latter was in no mood to oblige.
The MIDC police registered a zero FIR on Monday against comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly defaming Shinde and publishing, circulating false statements and rumours. The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA Murji Patel, who represents the Andheri East assembly. The police filed the case under Sections 353 (1)(b) (publishing or circulating false statements or rumours), 352 (provoking breach of peace), and 356(2) (defamation, specifically outlining that whoever, by words or other means, makes or publishes an imputation intending to cause harm) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The case was filed on March 24 and transferred to Khar Police Station as the incident occurred under its jurisdiction.
According to the FIR, Kamra reportedly recorded the stand-up comedy show at Habitat Club, located inside 'The Unicontinental Hotel' in Khar West in February 2025. The FIR stated that Kamra defamed Shinde and created hatred between Shinde Sena and their opposition parties.
In the video, Kamra stated, "What has been done about the Maharashtra elections? We need to talk about it. What happened here? First, Shiv Sena left BJP, then Shiv Sena left Shiv Sena. Then NCP left NCP. Voters were given a choice of nine buttons — people were confused. He had started... There is a very good district in Mumbai — Thane. He belongs to Thane..."
Further, he sang a song with lyrics: "Thane's rickshawala, beard on his face, glasses in the eyes... If you look at him from my perspective, he looks like a traitor... Let him show a glimpse sometime, he hides in Guwahati... If you look at him from my perspective, he looks like a traitor... He is not a minister, he is a turncoat, what else can be said... He makes a hole in the plate that feeds him. He may get more space in Fadnavis' lap than a ministry. He has got a bow and arrow. He wants my father... He wanted to end dynasticism, but he stole someone else’s father." After the video was released, Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers gathered at the MIDC police station and filed complaints and a few workers gathered at the Unicontinental Hotel and vandalised inside the hotel.
Dixit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-9, stated, "Two offences have been registered at Khar Police Station — one against a stand-up comedian for derogatory comments, and the other against the people who ransacked the Unicontinental Hotel. Further investigation is ongoing."
Another FIR was filed against Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal, Kunal Sarmalkar, including around 40 workers for allegedly vandalising the Habitat stand-up comedy venue where the video was reportedly recorded. The case has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Police Act. Almost 13 sections were applied against the workers, including obstructing government work, rioting, intimidation, unlawful assembly, and trespassing.
Following the release of the video, party workers gathered at The Unicontinental Hotel late Sunday night, where Kamra's show was reportedly recorded. The party workers allegedly vandalised the hotel. Subsequently, the Khar police registered the case, and arrested Rahul Kanal and 12 other party workers, and produced them before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Bandra on Monday. The court sent all the accused into judicial custody. They applied for bail, which the court granted on the same day.
Meanwhile, after the vandalism at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar over the uproar regarding Kunal Kamra's latest stand-up special "Naya Bharat," the club has announced that it will be "temporarily closed" until further notice.
