Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has faced a significant setback after ticketing platform BookMyShow removed all details of his shows from its platform. The move comes in response to a letter sent by Rahul Kanal, a leader of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), demanding the removal of Kamra’s content and artist profile.
Kunal Kamra has long been known for his politically charged comedy, often stirring debate and controversy. His recent troubles began when Rahul Kanal issued a public warning, stating that Kamra would be "welcomed in Shiv Sena style" if he planned to perform in Mumbai. The strong statement hinted at possible protest or disruption if the comedian went ahead with his scheduled shows.
In line with this warning, Kanal sent an official letter to the CEO of BookMyShow, urging the company to take down all listings related to Kamra’s upcoming performances and remove his name from the artist history section on the platform.
Following the letter, BookMyShow has reportedly taken action by removing Kunal Kamra’s event listings and artist profile from its website and mobile application. As of now, no shows featuring Kamra are visible on the platform, and his name no longer appears under the site's artist database.
This move marks a significant blow to Kamra’s tour promotions and ticket sales, especially on one of India’s most popular event-booking platforms. While there has been no official comment from Kamra or BookMyShow so far, the action has sparked conversations online regarding artistic freedom and political influence over entertainment.
The incident has added fuel to an already heated debate around censorship and the pressures faced by artists in India. With Kamra being a vocal critic of several political figures and ideologies, this latest development may be viewed as part of a broader pattern of opposition to dissenting voices in the comedy circuit.
It remains to be seen whether Kamra will respond or seek alternative platforms to promote and host his shows.