Kunal Kamra dropped from BookMyShow, claims Shiv Sena as comedian reacts with ¡®If not, it¡¯s fine. I understand¡¯

In the most recent mix of politics and performance, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has been reportedly removed from BookMyShow¡¯s listing of artists¡ª according to a statement issued by Rahool Kanal, a leader of the Shiv Sena.

Kanal, who serves as the social media in-charge for the Eknath Shinde-led party, publicly thanked the ticketing platform¡¯s CEO, Ashish Hemrajani, for keeping the portal ¡®clean¡¯ and free from artists he believes are pushing ¡®personal agendas¡¯.

Rahool¡¯s letter to BookMyShow CEO

In a letter addressed to Hemrajani, Kanal expressed gratitude for the alleged removal of Kamra, stating that his name had even been scrubbed from the platform¡¯s search history. He praised BookMyShow¡¯s ¡®respect for public emotion¡¯ and claimed Mumbaikars support all forms of art ¡ª but not when it crosses into political provocation.

¡®Your personal touch and guidance by your team were invaluable¡­ Your vision and leadership are truly inspiring,¡¯ he wrote in the effusive letter.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: ¡®If not, it¡¯s fine. I understand,¡¯ while asking BookMyShow to clarify if he could still list his shows on the platform. (Credit: X)

Kamra¡¯s quiet comeback

Kunal Kamra, usually sharp-tongued and unfiltered, responded with a tone of unexpected restraint. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: ¡®If not, it¡¯s fine. I understand,¡¯ while asking BookMyShow to clarify if he could still list his shows on the platform.

Hello @bookmyshow can you please confirm if I have your platform to list my shows if not it¡¯s fine. I understand¡­ https://t.co/JqjJtuWFE3

¡ª Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) April 5, 2025

This was after his controversial Mumbai performance in January, when he apparently made a thinly veiled insult at Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, using the term ¡®traitor¡¯. Following that performance, Sena supporters expressed their anger, allegedly vandalizing the venue and later prompting police action against Kanal and a few other people.

Silence from BookMyShow

Despite the attention, BookMyShow has yet to issue a comment or indicate that it has removed the comedian from its listings.

Kamra, who has been no stranger to controversy, has faced bans from numerous airlines and legal issues as a result of his forthright views in the past.

For now, the ticketing giant¡¯s silence speaks louder than any mic drop.

As for Kamra, whether this is a momentary pause in his tour calendar or just another setup for a future punchline ¡ª only time (and maybe a new venue) will tell.