Mumbai: Faham Lounge Owner Caught On Camera Smoking & Promoting Hookah Inside Car In Front Of Mantralaya Despite Ban (VIDEO)

Mumbai: In a brazen violation of Maharashtra’s public hookah ban, the owner of a well-known Mumbai hotel was caught on camera smoking a hookah inside a luxury vehicle right outside the state’s administrative headquarters, the Mantralaya. The incident, captured on video and posted on social media platform Instagram, has gone viral. Surprisingly, this is happening despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis having clearly ordered a ban on hookah in public places.

Viral Video Shows Hookah Smoked Outside Mantralaya

In the viral video posted by local news portal, Bandhu News on Thursday, the man has been identified as Muhammad Thakker, owner of Faham Lounge located in Mumbai’s Masjid area. He is seen smoking hookah while driving a Range Rover SUV in the premises around the Mantralaya. Thakker claims on video that the hookah is 'herbal,' but such substances remain banned under state directives in public places.

In the video, Thakker casually invites others to join him for a smoke, stating, “If anyone wants to smoke hookah, they can come sit in my car.” The SUV’s rear seat was reportedly occupied by staff from Faham Lounge, identifiable by his branded t-shirt. Thakker is seen driving from the Mantralaya signal towards the Air India building while continuing to smoke.

Who Is Muhammad Thakker?

According to sources, Muhammad Thakker is the owner of Faham Lounge, a hotel located in Mumbai's Masjid area. He also owns several other franchises in different countries, including Dubai. Herbal hookah was being served to individuals visiting his restaurant, as per Muhammad's claims in the video.

However, youngsters are served nicotine mixed flavours in the guise of herbal flavours at several other hookah parlours across the city. The Mumbai Police has not issued any official statement regarding the viral video yet.

CM Fadnavis Announces Crackdown Against Hookah Parlours

However, the viral video comes mere months after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis vowed to intensify the crackdown on hookah parlours. On March 25, 2025, during a state assembly session, CM Fadnavis had said, “The law banning hookah parlours will be enforced even more strictly. Licenses of restaurants violating this rule will be cancelled, and strict action will be taken against area police officers if such activities are uncovered by anyone other than law enforcement.”