Hasna manaa hai: Kunal Kamra’s show cancelled

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: After Munawar Faruqui, another popular comedian Kunal Kamra’s shows have been cancelled in Bengaluru. As per the sources, the shows were scheduled for the next 20 days at a venue in JP Nagar.

Sources told News Trail that the city police had summoned the proprietors of Art Khoj, the venue where Kamra’s show was to be held.

After a few people gathered outside the venue on Tuesday and objected to the show, a police van reached the venue and dispersed the crowd. Sources say that the police then had a meeting with Art Khoj proprietors at the police station, and asked them to give in writing that the show is being cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The police also asked the venue not to hold any events till December 31, sources said.

Later, Kamra was informed by them that his shows had been cancelled. A dejected Kamra took to social media, “Hello Bangalore people. I’m happy to inform you that my shows in Bangalore which were scheduled over the next 20 days have been cancelled.” Kamra was set to perform a show titled ‘Kunal Kamra Live’ on multiple days between December 1 and 19.

In his tweet, Kamra mentioned two reasons for his shows getting cancelled. He said firstly they didn’t get special permission to seat 45 people in the venue that had the capacity to seat more than that. Secondly, threats have been made to shut down the venue if I were to ever perform there, he said.

“I guess this is also part of Covid protocol and new guidelines. I am seen as a variant of the virus now,” Kamra said.

A similar incident took place on November 28, when Munawar Faruqui’s show, which had to be held at Good Shepherd Auditorium, was cancelled. The police advised the organisers to cancel the show as Faruqui is a controversial figure who could make provocative statements. In Kunal Kamra’s case, however, the police have not given any objection in writing.