BookMyShow removes all Kunal Kamra content, delists him after Shiv Sena letter

BookMyShow, a leading online ticketing platform, on Saturday removed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra from its artist listings and deleted all related content from its website. The decision followed a letter from Rahool N Kanal, general secretary of the Yuva Shiv Sena and social media in-charge of the Eknath Shinde-led faction, urging the platform to stop promoting Kamra's shows.

In the letter dated April 2, Rahool Kanal addressed BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani, raising concerns about Kamra’s content and its impact on public sentiment. Kanal stated, “It has come to my notice that BookMyShow has previously facilitated ticket sales for shows featuring Mr Kunal Kamra, an individual with a documented history of habitual offensive behavior.” He accused Kamra of vilifying public figures, including the Prime Minister and deputy chief ministers.

Kanal’s letter warned that continuing to list Kamra’s events could be seen as endorsing “divisive rhetoric” and could lead to “serious repercussions for public sentiment and order in the city.” He also wrote, “Such remarks not only hurt the sentiments of public at large but also have the potential to incite public mischief and disrupt social harmony.” Kanal later thanked BookMyShow for removing Kamra’s profile and content from the platform and search listings.

The Mumbai Police had earlier registered a case against Kamra on the basis of a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, alleging defamation of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a stand-up act. The video, titled “Naya Bharat,” included satirical remarks on the Shiv Sena split, following which Sena workers allegedly vandalised the studio and hotel where the act was recorded on March 23.

Kamra has received three police summonses in connection with the defamation case but has not appeared before the authorities. On April 5, he skipped the third notice issued by Khar police. He is believed to be in Puducherry. Separately, the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police has received a complaint from a Shiv Sena representative seeking a probe into Kamra’s financial transactions and alleged receipt of funds from other countries through his video content.

Following the developments, Kamra responded via a post on X, asking BookMyShow to confirm whether he could continue to list his shows on their platform. “Hello BookMyShow, can you please confirm if I have your platform to list my shows? If not, it’s fine. I understand,” he wrote. Kamra has also approached the Madras High Court and secured interim protection against arrest, citing over 500 death threats received after the controversy.