An Iconic Mumbai Restaurant Shuts Its Doors
When Bollywood celebrities open restaurants, they usually become hotspots—Karan Johar’s Neuma, Bobby Deol’s Someplace Else, and Gauri Khan’s Tori are some examples. But among them, none stood taller than Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian Bandra.
Located on Mumbai’s buzzing Linking Road, Bastian Bandra quickly became the most profitable celebrity-owned restaurant in the city, with media reports claiming monthly sales between ₹10–15 crore. It wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a nightlife landmark where countless Bollywood stars, entrepreneurs, and influencers regularly dined.
So naturally, when Shilpa Shetty posted an Instagram story announcing that September 4, 2025 would be the restaurant’s last day, fans and patrons were shocked. Why would such a successful business shut down?
Shadow of a ₹60 Crore Fraud Allegation
The shutdown coincides with serious legal turmoil: both Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra have been booked by Mumbai’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on charges of allegedly defrauding businessman Deepak Kothari of ₹60.48 crore via their defunct company Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd.
The complaint claims the couple misrepresented a loan as an investment and misappropriated the funds for personal gain. Their legal team, however, denies any criminality, describing it as a civil issue already addressed by the NCLT.
The Economic Times
Is the Fraud Case the Real Reason Behind the Closure?
Given the timing, many speculate that the closure is not purely strategic, but a response to mounting legal pressure and reputational risk. Mint even states that while Shetty didn’t directly link the two, the timing has led to widespread speculation about the controversy impacting business operations.
Source: Mint The Economic Times+5mint+5The Times of India+5
Shilpa Shetty’s Farewell Note
In her Instagram story (see image above), Shilpa Shetty called the closure “the end of an era”. She wrote:
“This Thursday marks the end of an era as we bid farewell to one of Mumbai’s most iconic destinations – Bastian Bandra. A venue that gave us countless memories, unforgettable nights, and moments that shaped the city’s nightlife now takes its final bow.”
She also added that while Bandra’s outlet shuts, the legacy will continue at “Bastian at the Top”, and their Thursday ritual, the Arcane Affair, would be carried forward with brand-new experiences.
Rumors About Business Losses
The announcement sparked rumors across social media. Many speculated that Bastian Bandra was shut due to poor business performance, despite its reputation as Mumbai’s celebrity hub.
But soon after, Ranjit Bindra, CEO of Bastian Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., issued a clarification that directly addressed these rumors.
CEO Ranjit Bindra’s Clarification
In a detailed statement, Ranjit Bindra wrote:
- “Bandra was where Bastian’s journey began, and it will always remain close to us. We’re closing one chapter, but two new stories are waiting to be written.”
- He explained that Bastian would now expand with two new outlets:
- Ammakai – focusing on South Indian cuisine, celebrating heritage recipes and regional flavors.
- Bastian Beach Club (Juhu) – a coastal luxury dining and entertainment destination.
He further emphasized that this wasn’t a shutdown due to failure but rather a strategic move to evolve and expand the brand.
What This Really Means
If we analyze both Shilpa Shetty’s farewell post and Ranjit Bindra’s clarification, it’s clear that:
- Bastian Bandra is closing, but not due to losses. In fact, it remained Mumbai’s highest-earning celebrity-owned restaurant.
- The brand is shifting towards expansion—with new ventures in Juhu and a specialized restaurant concept (Ammakai).
- The closure is being positioned as a rebranding strategy—moving away from one legendary venue to build a broader empire.
While fans may feel nostalgic about losing Bastian Bandra, the closure is far from the end. Instead, it marks the beginning of a new era for Shilpa Shetty’s restaurant empire. With Ammakai and Bastian Beach Club, Juhu, the brand is poised to diversify its offerings while carrying forward its legacy of luxury dining and nightlife experiences.
So, the truth is: Bastian Bandra didn’t close because of failure—it closed because it was time for the brand to evolve and grow bigger.
