Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Sunday reached out to ticketing platform BookMyShow via social media, seeking clarity on whether he is still permitted to list his shows on the platform. This comes after Shiv Sena functionary Rahool Kanal claimed that the comedian had been blacklisted from the platform.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamra wrote: “Hello @bookmyshow, can you please confirm if I have your platform to list my shows? If not, it’s fine. I understand…”
The controversy began after Kanal, the social media in-charge of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, announced that BookMyShow had removed Kamra from its artists and events list. He thanked the platform’s CEO, Ashish Hemrajani, for “keeping the portal clean” and excluding an artist who, according to him, did not align with the platform’s idea of “pure entertainment.”
In response to Kamra’s post, writer and fellow comedian Varun Grover expressed outrage over the reported move, stating, “Kaahe itna dare huye ho @bookmyshow? Spineless kenchua mat bano,” calling the platform out for what he perceived as cowardice.
The situation escalated after Kamra allegedly made a jibe at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during one of his recent performances in Mumbai. Following this, Shiv Sena members reportedly vandalised the venue where the show was held. Kanal, along with several Shiv Sainiks, has been booked by Mumbai Police in connection with the incident.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police have issued three notices to Kamra, believed to be staying in Puducherry, asking him to appear in person in connection with the case. Kamra has so far skipped all three summons.
The incident has sparked widespread conversation around freedom of expression, censorship in entertainment, and political interference in the arts.
