Who is Kunal Kamra? A look at comedian’s controversies

Indian stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp political satire and frequent run-ins with controversy, has once again found himself in hot water.

His recent remark calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde a “traitor” in his comedy special Naya Bharat has sparked strong reactions from Shiv Sena leaders and state ministers, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Backlash and Vandalism

Following the uproar over Kamra’s comment, members of Shiv Sena’s youth wing, Yuva Sena, vandalized The Habitat comedy club, where the show was filmed. As a result, the venue has announced a temporary closure. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against the comedian for his remarks.

Who is Kunal Kamra?

Kunal Kamra is a Mumbai-based stand-up comedian and political satirist known for his bold and often controversial views on politics, business, and society. His content frequently criticizes the ruling BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In 2017, he launched his talk show Shut Up Ya Kunal, featuring political figures and activists across the ideological spectrum, often engaging them in humorous yet thought-provoking discussions.

Past Controversies

The Arnab Goswami Confrontation (2020)

One of Kamra’s most infamous moments came in January 2020 when he confronted journalist Arnab Goswami mid-air on an IndiGo flight, questioning his journalistic ethics. The comedian later posted a video of the incident, leading IndiGo to impose a six-month flight ban on him. Other airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, and GoAir, followed suit with indefinite bans.

The Edited Video Controversy (2020)

In May 2020, Kamra landed in trouble for sharing an edited video of a seven-year-old boy singing for PM Modi in Germany. The video replaced the original song with Mehengayi Daayan from Peepli Live, a satirical film about inflation. The child’s father accused Kamra of politicizing his son, prompting the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to intervene. Kamra later deleted the post.

Remarks on the Supreme Court (2020)

During his show Be Like, Kamra made a controversial remark calling the Supreme Court a “Baniya-Brahmin affair.” A petition was filed against him, demanding contempt proceedings for disrespecting the judiciary.

Middle Finger to the Chief Justice

Kamra further angered legal authorities when he posted a picture on X (formerly Twitter) showing his middle finger and mocking then-Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind Bobde. Attorney General KK Venugopal initiated contempt proceedings against him for using obscene language against the judiciary.

Salman Khan Controversy

Recently, Kamra stirred fresh controversy by making a joke about Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, referencing his involvement in the 1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case and the 2002 Hit-and-Run Case. Reports suggested that Salman Khan was considering filing a defamation lawsuit against Kamra, but the comedian refused to apologize for his joke.

Kamra vs. VHP and Bajrang Dal (2022)

In September 2022, Kamra’s show in Gurugram was canceled after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal threatened protests. In response, Kamra wrote an open letter challenging the VHP to denounce Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, as proof of their commitment to anti-terrorism and Hindu values. He also defended his comedy, stating that he criticizes the government, not religious beliefs.