BookMyShow has set the record straight after comedian Kunal Kamra’s open letter to the company, requesting them not to “delist” him. The comedian added that, in case the company wants to remove him from their platform, they can provide him with data on the “audience he generated through the ticketing platform”. The company has responded to his open letter, stating that it has not “delisted” the comedian, as they “don’t restrict artists”. 

BookMyShow’s statement on delisting Kunal Kamra

“BookMyShow is a platform to facilitate the sale of tickets and operates the business with neutrality and in compliance with the applicable laws of India,” said BookMyShow in a statement, adding that “facts on their role have been misrepresented in the public domain”. 

It added, “Our role is to provide a platform for ticket sales of live shows, and it is the decision of the organiser or the venue to list or delist their shows. The content of each performance is solely at the discretion of the performer or the organiser (as the case may be) and does not bear any representation of our views.”

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The company said that it only works with venues and promoters to provide ticketing service and “does not restrict any artist from selling their show on their own website, should they choose to do so”.

“Our platform is about bringing people together through shared experiences, regardless of their beliefs. We remain committed to delivering the best possible service and experience for everybody,” the statement further said. 

Kunal Kamra’s open letter to BookMyShow

“Dear BookMyShow, I still don’t know if I have your platform or not. Below is my humble view. To the audiences, I’m not a fan of boycotts or downrating a private business… BookMyShow is well within their right to do what’s best for their business,” Kamra said on X (formerly known as Twitter). 

The 36-year-old said, “The issue at hand isn’t about whether you can or will delist me – it’s about your exclusive right on listing our shows. By not allowing artists to list their shows through their own websites, you’ve effectively prevented me from accessing the audience I’ve performed for from 2017 to 2025.”

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He added that the company takes a 10 per cent cut for listing shows, and the artists are “compelled to spend between Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 a day on advertising”. 

“What I am requesting is simple: Please ensure that you hand over the contact information of the audiences you’ve collected from my solo shows so that I can continue living my life with dignity and work towards a fair livelihood,” adding that “a solo comedian is both the show and the production”. 

Kamra then urged the company to fulfil either: “Do not delist me or provide me with the data (contact information) I’ve generated through your platform from my audience.”

Kunal Kamra is currently facing legal action over his comedy special “Naya Bharat” in which he took a musical jibe at several politicians, including PM Modi. However, his veiled musical jibe at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde upset the Shiv Sena workers, who vandalised the venue and even issued threats to Kamra for tagging Shinde as a “turncoat” and a “traitor”. 

A total of three cases have been filed against Kamra at Khar Police Station. The Madras High Court has extended the duration of his interim anticipatory bail till April 17.