Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has made a public appeal to BookMyShow, urging the ticketing platform to either retain his listing or hand over the contact details of his audiences collected through his solo performances. The request follows reports of his shows being removed amid political pressure, specifically from members of the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamra wrote, "Dear @bookmyshow - I still don't know if I have your platform or no. Below is humble view - To the audiences I'm not a fan of boycotts or down rating a private business... Book my show is well within their right to do what's best for their business."
Kamra's Concerns With Platform Control
In a two-page open letter addressed to BookMyShow, Kamra acknowledged the platform’s need to maintain a cordial relationship with the government, especially in Mumbai, a major entertainment hub. He wrote, "Without the state's cooperation, iconic shows like Coldplay and Guns N' Roses wouldn't be possible."
However, Kamra criticised BookMyShow's exclusive control over show listings. "By not allowing artists to list their shows through their own websites, you've effectively prevented me from accessing the audience I've performed for from 2017 to 2025," he stated. He further explained that while BookMyShow takes a 10% commission on ticket sales, comedians must spend an additional Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 daily on promotions, which becomes a financial burden, particularly for smaller artists.
Requests Audience Contact Data for Livelihood
Kamra's main demand is access to the audience data generated through his solo shows on the platform. "Please ensure that you hand over the contact information of the audiences you've collected from my solo shows so that I can continue living my life with dignity and work towards a fair livelihood," he wrote.
He added, "As a solo artist, especially in the world of comedy, we are both the show and the production... The least I deserve, should you choose to delist me, is access to them."
Political Backlash and Legal Action
The controversy began after Kamra performed a parody version of the song 'Bholi Si Surat' during his show, allegedly mocking Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The act drew criticism from Rahool N Kanal, General Secretary of Yuva Sena, who sent a letter to BookMyShow urging them to stop facilitating Kamra’s shows.
Kanal accused Kamra of targeting political leaders with offensive content and claimed his actions could “disrupt social harmony.” He warned BookMyShow that continuing to host Kamra's events could be seen as endorsing divisive views.
Kamra Responds to Threats and Defends Artistic Freedom
In a statement, Kamra clarified that performance venues should not be held responsible for the content of comedians. "Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served," he said.
Kamra also responded to political threats by defending his right to free speech. "Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich... As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system."
Following multiple FIRs filed against him, Kamra sought transit anticipatory bail and was granted interim protection by the Madras High Court until April 17. The Bombay High Court has also agreed to hear his petition challenging one of the FIRs on constitutional grounds, claiming violations of Articles 19 and 21.
Kamra’s legal team argues that his performance, part of the show titled ‘Naya Bharat’, is an example of protected speech and should not be criminally prosecuted. The situation remains ongoing, with a court hearing scheduled and BookMyShow yet to publicly respond to Kamra's open letter.
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamra wrote, "Dear @bookmyshow - I still don't know if I have your platform or no. Below is humble view - To the audiences I'm not a fan of boycotts or down rating a private business... Book my show is well within their right to do what's best for their business."
Kamra's Concerns With Platform Control
In a two-page open letter addressed to BookMyShow, Kamra acknowledged the platform’s need to maintain a cordial relationship with the government, especially in Mumbai, a major entertainment hub. He wrote, "Without the state's cooperation, iconic shows like Coldplay and Guns N' Roses wouldn't be possible."
However, Kamra criticised BookMyShow's exclusive control over show listings. "By not allowing artists to list their shows through their own websites, you've effectively prevented me from accessing the audience I've performed for from 2017 to 2025," he stated. He further explained that while BookMyShow takes a 10% commission on ticket sales, comedians must spend an additional Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 daily on promotions, which becomes a financial burden, particularly for smaller artists.
Dear @bookmyshow - I still don’t know if I have your platform or no.
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) April 7, 2025
Below is humble view -
To the audiences I’m not a fan of boycotts or down rating a private business…
Book my show is well within their right to do what’s best for their business | pic.twitter.com/TXaB22sfxI
Requests Audience Contact Data for Livelihood
Kamra's main demand is access to the audience data generated through his solo shows on the platform. "Please ensure that you hand over the contact information of the audiences you've collected from my solo shows so that I can continue living my life with dignity and work towards a fair livelihood," he wrote.
He added, "As a solo artist, especially in the world of comedy, we are both the show and the production... The least I deserve, should you choose to delist me, is access to them."
Political Backlash and Legal Action
The controversy began after Kamra performed a parody version of the song 'Bholi Si Surat' during his show, allegedly mocking Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The act drew criticism from Rahool N Kanal, General Secretary of Yuva Sena, who sent a letter to BookMyShow urging them to stop facilitating Kamra’s shows.
Kanal accused Kamra of targeting political leaders with offensive content and claimed his actions could “disrupt social harmony.” He warned BookMyShow that continuing to host Kamra's events could be seen as endorsing divisive views.
Kamra Responds to Threats and Defends Artistic Freedom
In a statement, Kamra clarified that performance venues should not be held responsible for the content of comedians. "Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served," he said.
Kamra also responded to political threats by defending his right to free speech. "Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich... As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system."
Following multiple FIRs filed against him, Kamra sought transit anticipatory bail and was granted interim protection by the Madras High Court until April 17. The Bombay High Court has also agreed to hear his petition challenging one of the FIRs on constitutional grounds, claiming violations of Articles 19 and 21.
Kamra’s legal team argues that his performance, part of the show titled ‘Naya Bharat’, is an example of protected speech and should not be criminally prosecuted. The situation remains ongoing, with a court hearing scheduled and BookMyShow yet to publicly respond to Kamra's open letter.
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