Mumbai, 7 April 2025: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is once again in the headlines, but this time the reason is not his stage performance, but a big decision of online ticket booking platform BookMyShow. The company has removed all Kunal’s content from its website and removed him from its list of artists. This step was taken after Kunal’s jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, which angered the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). Kunal has openly spoken against this decision and questioned the transparency of the company.
BookMyShow’s tough step
BookMyShow on Saturday, 5 April removed all content related to Kunal Kamra from its site. His name was removed from his profile, show information and even search history. This action was taken after Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) youth leader Rahul N. This happened after Kanal’s letter, in which he demanded to stop the sale of tickets of Kunal’s show. Kanal wrote in his letter, “Kunal’s statements not only hurt the sentiments of the people but can also spoil the social harmony. BookMyShow should not give a platform to such an artist.”
The party welcomed this decision and thanked BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani. Kanal said, “We appreciate your initiative, which kept the platform clean.” But in this entire incident, there has been no official statement from BookMyShow, due to which many questions are unanswered.
Kunal’s reaction
Breaking his silence on this matter, Kunal wrote on social media platform X, “Hi
@bookmyshow
, can you please tell me whether my shows will be listed on your platform? If not, then it’s okay. I understand your compulsion.” His comment was not only sarcastic but also raised questions on the transparency of BookMyShow’s decision. In an interview, Kunal further said, “I did not receive any formal communication from BookMyShow. Such ambiguity creates confusion in people’s minds. If there is a ban, it should be clarified.”

On April 7, Kunal also wrote an open letter, in which he demanded his viewership information from BookMyShow. He wrote, “I understand that you have to maintain good relations with the government. But if you are removing me, then at least give me the data of my viewers who have come to my show since 2017. This is my right.” This move reflects his displeasure and an attempt to compensate for business losses.

Root of the controversy

The whole matter started when Kunal recently took a dig at the division of Shiv Sena during his show at a Mumbai hotel. Without naming anyone, he called Eknath Shinde a ‘traitor’. This comment was part of his YouTube video ‘Naya Bharat’, which has so far garnered more than 1.3 crore views. Shiv Sena was enraged by this statement. Party workers vandalised the studio where Kunal performed.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condemned Kunal’s statement and demanded an apology. But Kunal clearly said, “I will not apologise. I will respond to this matter within the ambit of the law.” After this, on March 24, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed an FIR against Kunal at Khar Police Station. Mumbai Police sent him summons thrice, but Kunal took anticipatory bail.
Public and experts’ opinion
This incident has sparked a debate on social media. Some people are supporting BookMyShow’s decision, while many are calling it an attack on freedom of expression. Varun Grover, a standup comedian from Delhi, wrote on X, “Why is BookMyShow so scared? This is spineless behaviour.” At the same time, some users started the trend of #BoycottBookMyShow. One user wrote, “If they can remove Kunal, we can also remove their app.” Fashion and entertainment analyst Ramesh Sharma says, “This decision seems to be a step taken by BookMyShow under business pressure. In a city like Mumbai, it can be risky for them to clash with the government. But this raises questions about their credibility.”

https://x.com/kunalkamra88/status/1908447058006307147
What is the way forward?

This controversy of Kunal Kamra raises questions not only about his career, but also about the future of comedy and freedom of expression in India. BookMyShow’s silence and Kunal’s outspokenness is making the matter more complicated. Will this ban be permanent, or will Kunal return after his appeal? This remains to be seen.
For now, Kunal is avoiding the appeal of boycott from his fans. He wrote, “I am not in favor of boycott against any private company. BookMyShow is free to take a decision in its own interest.” But it is clear that this controversy is not going to stop soon. This battle of Kunal is now not only about the platform, but also about principles. The coming days will decide the next chapter of this story.