Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty Kundra has stunned Mumbai’s elite and partygoers by announcing the shutdown of her renowned restaurant, Bastian Bandra. Known as a celebrity hotspot and a definitive symbol of the city’s upscale dining scene, the venue served its final patrons on Thursday, bringing an era to a poignant end. While the official statement hints at a temporary pause for “renovations,” industry insiders and media reports are openly speculating that the closure is a direct consequence of the severe financial and legal troubles currently plaguing the Kundra family.
The announcement came via a heartfelt note on Shilpa Shetty’s social media, where she wrote, “This Thursday marks the end of an era as we bid farewell to one of Mumbai’s most iconic destinations… Bastian Bandra now takes its final bow.”
A Go-To Destination for Bollywood Royalty
Since its inception in 2016, Bastian Bandra quickly became the go-to dining spot for Bollywood’s A-list, from the likes of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif to Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. The restaurant wasn’t just known for its popular dishes like the Lobster Bomb and Animal Prawns; it was celebrated for its sophisticated ambiance and an irresistible aura of exclusivity that made it a regular fixture in paparazzi photos and social media posts.
Involvement of Shilpa Shetty, which began in 2019, transformed Bastian from a popular eatery into a powerhouse brand, synonymous with glamour and wellness, two key aspects of her public persona. The restaurant’s closure, therefore, is not just a business decision; it symbolizes the end of a cultural landmark that defined a significant part of Mumbai’s nightlife over the last decade.
Rumours Swirl Amid Legal and Financial Woes
Despite the official statement from Bastian’s owners mentioning a “short pause for renovations,” media reports and sources within the industry paint a different picture. The closure comes at a time when Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, are embroiled in a high-profile legal battle. A case was recently filed against the couple by a Mumbai businessman, who has accused them of defrauding him of over ₹60 crore in a loan and investment deal.
The allegations claim that the money, which was meant to be an investment in their now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, was instead misappropriated and used for personal expenses. While the couple’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and “purely civil in nature,” the ongoing scrutiny has reportedly put a severe financial strain on the family’s business ventures. Industry insiders suggest that the pressure from this legal matter and the resulting reputational damage have made it difficult to sustain a luxury brand like Bastian in such a competitive market.
The Road Ahead for the Bastian Brand
While the flagship Bastian Bandra location has closed its doors, the Bastian brand is far from over. The closure announcement explicitly stated that the popular Thursday night event, ‘Arcane Affair,’ will continue at the brand’s other location, Bastian at The Top. Perched on the 48th floor of a high-rise in Dadar, this rooftop venue will now carry forward the legacy of the Bastian name.
This move suggests a strategic consolidation of the brand amid a challenging period. The focus will now shift to the high-end, rooftop dining experience, possibly in an effort to streamline operations and capitalize on a single, strong location. For now, however, the closure of the original Bastian Bandra location remains a poignant moment for both the Kundras and the city that had come to know and love the iconic restaurant.
