In the ongoing controversy surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's alleged objectionable comment about Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Kamra has taken to social media to address the situation directly. Recently, Shiv Sena leaders had claimed that BookMyShow, a leading ticket booking platform, had removed Kamra’s name from the list of artists in response to the political backlash stemming from his remark. In light of this, Kamra has responded with an open letter to BookMyShow, where he defended the platform amid trolling and expressed his views on the issue.
BookMyShow had earlier clarified that it is a neutral platform facilitating ticket sales in accordance with Indian laws. The platform stated that show listings are determined by the organisers or venues, not by BookMyShow itself. It also clarified that the views expressed during performances are solely those of the artists and not the platform. BookMyShow added that it does not restrict artists from selling tickets independently and aims to offer a shared experience to audiences, regardless of differing beliefs.
While Shiv Sena leaders had expressed anger over Kamra’s alleged comment and thanked the CEO of BookMyShow for his removal, Kamra remains active on social media, using the platform to clarify his stance on the matter.
In a post on the X platform on Monday, April 7, Kamra addressed his fans and urged them not to support boycotting or downgrading the rating of any private business. He acknowledged that BookMyShow has every right to decide whether to list an artist or not, emphasizing that the decision to include his name on the platform was entirely at the company’s discretion. "I still don't know if I am on your site or not," Kamra wrote, referring to BookMyShow’s potential decision to remove him from the list of artists.
Kamra also expressed his disappointment at the potential removal, writing, “Dear BookMyShow, I understand that you need to maintain good relations with the state. I know Mumbai is a major center of live entertainment. Iconic shows like Coldplay and Guns N’ Roses would not have been possible without the cooperation of the state.” However, Kamra further added that the issue wasn’t about whether BookMyShow had the right to remove his name from the platform, but about the platform’s unique position as the exclusive ticketing service for artists.
He highlighted the business model of BookMyShow, which takes a 10% commission on ticket sales for listing shows, and pointed out that for many artists, advertising costs to reach their audience are significant—ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 per day. Kamra argued that by removing his listing from BookMyShow, the platform effectively obstructs his ability to reach the audience he has been performing for since 2017, as BookMyShow serves as a primary channel for such shows.
In his open letter, Kamra also requested BookMyShow to either retain his name on the platform or provide him with the contact details of the audience members who attended his shows through their platform. "This data is critical for artists like me, who rely on platforms like yours to reach out to our fans," he wrote.
Despite the ongoing political and social tension surrounding his comments, Kamra's stance remains firm. He reiterated that he does not advocate for a boycott of any private business and understands the complexities of running such a platform.
BookMyShow has yet to publicly respond to Kamra's open letter. As the situation continues to unfold, it raises important questions about the role of online platforms in managing content and artist relationships in the face of political pressures.
This latest episode underscores the delicate balance platforms like BookMyShow must navigate between adhering to legal requirements, maintaining business relationships, and upholding their commitment to offering equal opportunities to artists, irrespective of the views expressed in their performances.
Also Read: Deepika Padukone to play Suhana Khan's mother in Shah Rukh Khan starrer King?