A few weeks ago, Samay Raina's India's Got Latent had made it to the headlines for an obscene comment made by Ranveer Allahbadia on the show. Now, Kunal Kamra's video of calling a minister 'Gaddar' has gone viral on social media. Well, the common factor between them is the studio, The Habitat, located in Khar in Mumbai.
On Sunday night, after Kunal's video went viral, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde's, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the studio where the comedian had performed. Now, The Habitat has decided to shut down.
The studio took to Instagram to share a note which read, "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 the proxy for the performance."
"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. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views free and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights," the note further read.
The Habitat has also shared they have been 'neutral' to all kinds of artists. However, they urge 'constructive conversation and not destruction'. The concluded the note by writing, "Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of art and dialogue."
While this time the studio has been vandalised, during India's Got Latent controversy there was a protest outside the studio, and the cops had reached the venue for the investigation.
The Habitat is owned by Balraj Singh Ghai who is one of the closest friends of Samay Raina. Well, for now, The Habitat is shut, and we are sure the audience who used to enjoy shows there would be quite sad about this.
