Shilpa Shetty closes iconic Bastian Bandra as ₹60 crore fraud allegations loom
IIE DIGITAL DESK : Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty revealed that her celebrated Mumbai restaurant, Bastian Bandra, would serve its final meal on Thursday, marking “the end of an era.” Although Shetty did not explicitly connect the decision to her ongoing legal entanglements, the timing draws an unmistakable backdrop—the star and her husband, Raj Kundra, are currently embroiled in allegations of financial misconduct involving a loan-cum-investment deal that allegedly defrauded a Mumbai businessman of over ₹60 crore between 2015 and 2023.
Shetty shared the bittersweet message via her Instagram Stories, describing the restaurant as “one of Mumbai’s most iconic destinations,” and promising a special farewell evening filled with “nostalgia, energy, and magic.” She added that while Bastian Bandra will close its doors, the brand’s legacy will live on at Bastian At The Top, where her Thursday night ritual “Arcane Affair” will continue in a new chapter .
Founded in 2016 and relocated to Bandra in 2023, Bastian quickly grew to become a favorite among celebrities and food lovers for its distinctive décor, seafood-centric menu, and vibrant nightlife ambience .
The restaurant’s closure coincides with serious allegations by businessman Deepak Kothari, who has filed a complaint with Mumbai’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Kothari alleges that funds intended for business expansion under Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, the couple’s now-defunct venture, were misused for personal purposes. The disputed amount exceeds ₹60 crore, covering the period from 2015 to 2023.
Shetty and Kundra’s legal team has dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” pointing to earlier resolution through civil mechanisms and asserting that the issue has already been adjudicated by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in October 2024 .
The restaurant’s impending closure has reverberated through Mumbai’s culinary and entertainment circles. Observers note that the announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of celebrity conduct and financial accountability. While loyal patrons prepare for one last evening at the Bandra hotspot, attention is also shifting to how the brand will reinvent its presence through the Dadar outlet under the Bastian At The Top banner .
As the restaurant ends its chapter in Bandra, the stage is set for two unfolding dramas: the lasting impact of this closure on Mumbai’s nightlife scene and how the fraud allegations against a celebrity couple of such stature will proceed in the public eye.
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