‘It’s fine, I understand’: Kunal Kamra reacts to Shiv Sena’s ‘BookMyShow removed him’ claim | India News

NEW DELHI: Stand-up comic Kunal Kamra on Saturday asked ticketing platform BookMyShow to confirm if it has removed him from its artist list, amid controversy over his alleged remarks against Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.
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“Hello @bookmyshow can you please confirm if I have your platform to list my shows if not it’s fine. I understand,” Kamra posted on X.

Kunal Kamra’s tweet for BookMyShow

His post came after Rahool Kanal, a functionary of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, “thanked” BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani for keeping its portal “clean and keeping such artist out of the list of pure entertainment,” according to news agency PTI.
“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support of your team to take the said artist out of your sale and promotion listing. Thank you for taking him out of the BookMyShow search history. Your belief in maintaining peace and at the same time respecting our emotions has been instrumental,” Kanal wrote in his letter to Hemrajani.
Mumbaikars love and believe in every form of art but not “personal agendas,” he added.
“Your personal touch and guidance by your team were invaluable in navigating and reaching a solution. We deeply value your commitment to BookMyShow’s values that align with the support, and customer experience, your vision and leadership are truly inspiring, thank you for giving us your team and getting this cleared at the earliest,” the letter stated.
BookMyShow is yet to issue a statement to confirm or deny Kanal’s claim.
Kanal, who is Shiv Sena’s social media in-charge, was booked along with Shiv Sainiks for allegedly vandalising the studio where Kamra had performed and alluded to Shinde while making a “gaddar” (traitor) jibe, which snowballed into a major row. In June 2022, Shinde had split the Shiv Sena into two factions, with one led by him and another by Uddhav Thackeray, son of Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Shinde’s actions also led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. The former then joined hands with Uddhav’s ex-ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and became chief minister of the state. He is now one of two deputy chief ministers to Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP.
Mumbai Police has issued three notices to Kamra, believed to be in Puducherry, seeking his personal appearance, but he has skipped all of them.