Comedian Kunal Kamra, who is currently in the spotlight over legal proceedings, has now drawn attention for his open letter addressed to the event ticketing platform BookMyShow.
Kunal Kamra recently received interim protection from arrest by the Madras High Court, which has granted him relief until April 17. The comedian has also filed a plea with the court seeking to quash the FIR lodged against him by the Mumbai Police. A hearing on this petition is expected soon.
However, beyond the courtroom, Kamra has made headlines for an entirely different reason. He has publicly shared a letter written to BookMyShow, raising concerns about the platform's decision to delist his shows and its implications for independent artists.
In his letter, Kamra acknowledged BookMyShow’s need to maintain favorable relations with state authorities, especially in a city like Mumbai, which he described as a “major hub for entertainment.” He wrote:
"I understand that BookMyShow wants to maintain a cordial relationship with the state government. I also recognize that Mumbai, being a cultural center, depends on state support for iconic shows like Guns N' Roses or Coldplay. The fact that you have delisted me is not the issue — it is within your rights to choose which artists to promote."
He went on to raise a key concern: that the delisting of his shows, particularly from 2017 to 2025, has effectively obstructed his ability to reach his audience.
“Your platform charges 10 percent for listing shows, and that’s your business model. But for comedians — whether well-known or just starting out — the cost of reaching audiences can range from ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 a day. That’s an additional burden we have to carry.”
Kamra’s central plea in the letter was a request for access to the contact list of audience members who attended his solo shows.
“I have only one request, and it’s not a difficult one. Please provide me with the contact details of the audience members who attended my solo performances. If I participate in a collective show with 30 other comedians, I understand that data belongs to that event. But for solo shows, I believe the audience is mine.”
He concluded the letter by asserting that just as BookMyShow has the right to delist him, he has the right to stay connected with his supporters:
“The audience who attended those shows came for me. I respect your decision, but in return, I request that you either refrain from delisting me or provide me with the data of my solo show audiences. This is my humble request.”
Kamra’s letter has since sparked discussions online about artistic freedom, platform power dynamics, and the challenges faced by independent performers in navigating digital platforms.