Hook: Bollywood star-turned-restaurateur Shilpa Shetty has just flipped the script at her famous Bandra space—reopening the site of the original Bastian as a new South Indian restaurant called Ammakai, even as she and husband Raj Kundra face an ongoing Rs 60 crore fraud investigation[1][2]. Shilpa's move: The new outlet, Ammakai, replaces the original Bastian Bandra location and brings a warm, terracotta‑toned South Indian dining concept to the same site that made the Bastian name famous[2][3]. The launch was announced publicly this week and the venue has been fully reimagined with hand‑painted motifs, kolam‑inspired floors and intimate, arched dining pockets meant to evoke South Indian homes[2]. Why this matters: The reopening signals a strategic pivot for the hospitality group behind Bastian—renewing a beloved footprint in Bandra with a culturally specific menu and design after the original outlet's closure and renovation earlier this year[3][4]. It also arrives amid heightened public interest because Shetty and her husband are under investigation in a Rs 60 crore fraud case, showing the entrepreneur's intent to keep business operations moving despite legal scrutiny[1][2]. What to expect at Ammakai: Sources describe a 125‑seat restaurant drenched in earth tones and temple‑inspired décor, with menu and ambiance designed to celebrate South Indian flavors and hospitality; reports list price expectations (meal for two around Rs 2,500) and opening hours for the public launch[2]. The restaurant is positioned as an intimate, design‑forward outing rather than a loud, high‑energy seafood club the earlier Bastian often was[2][3]. Context on the legal backdrop: Media coverage notes that the announcement comes while Shetty and Raj Kundra are being probed in connection with allegations in a Rs 60 crore fraud case; outlets emphasize that business activity continues amid investigations rather than implying conclusions about guilt or innocence[1][2]. Why readers care: - Food lovers get a new curated South Indian dining option in Bandra with thoughtful design and a relaunched hospitality brand[2][3]. - Fans and followers of celebrity entrepreneurship see how high‑profile figures manage brand continuity during reputational and legal challenges[1]. - Observers of the Mumbai dining scene can track how popular restaurant real estate is being reimagined post‑pandemic and post‑closure[3][4]. Engagement prompt (CTA): What do you think—are you excited to try Ammakai's South Indian menu at the old Bastian site, or does the legal backdrop change how you view celebrity restaurants? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, share this post with friends who love Bandra's food scene, and tag someone you'd take to Ammakai. Embedded image (free, relevant):
Sources: - Coverage of the Ammakai launch and legal context in India Today reporting on Shilpa Shetty's announcement[1]. - Indian Express review and details of the Ammakai concept, design, opening hours and pricing[2]. - NDTV coverage on Shilpa Shetty's restaurant ventures and the Bastian brand history[3].Citations
1.https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/shilpa-shetty-launches-ammakai-south-indian-restaurant-bandra-rs-60-crore-fraud-case-2837945-2025-12-18
2.https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ammakai-bastian-bandra-shilpa-shetty-ranjit-bindra-new-restaurant-10426600/
3.https://food.ndtv.com/news/shilpa-shetty-restaurants-a-look-at-her-various-food-ventures-in-mumbai-pune-bengaluru-and-beyond-9838871
4.https://arthnova.com/shilpa-shetty-bastian-restaurant-empire/
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
---
This email was sent automatically with n8n