'How To Kill An Artist': Kunal Kamra's 'Playbook' Jibe Amid Ongoing Eknath Shinde Joke Row
Three cases have been filed against him at Khar police station, with complaints from the Mayor of Jalgaon city, a hotelier, and a businessman from Nashik.
Comedian Kunal Kamra in a recent post on X titled “How to kill an Artist democratically", outlined a “playbook" he claims is used by the ruling government to suppress free speech and artistic expression.
Posting the measures used to silence an artist, Kamra mentioned a step-by-step guide he believes is used by the government:
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1. Outrage – just enough for brands to stop commissioning their work
2. Outrage more- until private and corporate gigs dry up
3. Outrage louder- so big venues won’t take the risk.
4. Outrage violently- until even the smallest spaces shut their doors.
5. Summon their audience for questioning-turning art into a crime scene.
He further stated that after the artist faces such outrage, they are left with only two choices: Either sell their soul and become a dollar puppet or wither in silence.
The comedian said that his mentioned playbook isn’t just a method but a “political weapon" and a “silencing machine."
How to kill an Artist “Democratically" pic.twitter.com/9ESc9MZfWr— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) April 1, 2025
Kamra’s social media post came a day after a team of Mumbai Police visited his residence in Dadar on Monday amid controversy over his alleged remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Three cases have been filed against him at Khar police station, with complaints from the Mayor of Jalgaon city, a hotelier, and a businessman from Nashik.
Sources told CNN-News18 that Kamra has received two summonses from the police but has not yet responded. On March 27, the Mumbai police asked him to appear again on March 31 at the Khar Police Station for further questioning, marking the third summon issued to him.
The Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail on Friday in connection with multiple FIRs filed against him. Justice Sunder Mohan approved the bail with conditions effective until April. Kamra sought bail citing threats following his recent satirical comments.
The controversy began when Kamra released a spin-off of a popular Hindi song, indirectly criticising Shinde and referencing the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis. The program, ‘Naya Bharat’, was uploaded on Kamra’s YouTube channel on March 23, leading to strong reactions from the Shiv Sainiks. Shiv Sena leaders condemned his remarks, demanding an apology.
The situation escalated when Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Shinde’s Shiv Sena, vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where the show was filmed. Despite his clashes with the government, Kamra has refused to apologise but has expressed willingness to cooperate with the police.
Kamra released a statement emphasising that an entertainment venue is just a platform and not responsible for his comedy. He criticised the attack on the venue as senseless.
On Thursday, Kamra also targeted the mainstream media, accusing it of being a mouthpiece for the ruling party and spreading misinformation, referring to them as “vultures."
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