Kunal Kamra on what is stopping him from doing stand-up comedy

Comedian Kunal Kamra said he is unsure about returning to stand-up comedy, citing legal hurdles, restrictions, and exhaustion. It has been 10 months since his last performance following backlash over a political set

Will Kunal Kamra do stand-up again? Comedian says, ‘Don’t think I’m ready to fight for this anymore’

Kunal Kamra

The last time comedian Kunal Kamra stepped on stage for a stand-up act was 10 months ago. What followed his strong set reflecting the current political climate in the country were multiple FIRs, vandalism of a popular comedy venue in Mumbai, threats to the artist, prime-time debates, and more. While Kamra was not new to resistance against his comedy, the intensity of the protests this time was far greater.

Will Kunal Kamra return to stand-up comedy?

Although Kamra continued to engage with audiences through podcasts on his channel, he has not returned to stand-up since. He mentioned this in a statement shared on Instagram on Christmas.

On Thursday, Kunal Kamra took to his Instagram Stories to address questions about the future of his stand-up career. He requested people not to ask about his return to the stage, saying he himself does not know when that will happen. He also highlighted the exhausting legal process involved before performing a stand-up act.

“It’s a question I ask myself. The answer is, I don’t think I’m ready to fight for this anymore. Every venue, every show, permissions from authorities, conditional declarations of what I can say and what I can’t, and the court cases that follow the jokes eventually. There’s no road for wanting to do stand-up in the true sense. There are two options: say what is allowed and adjust to invisible rules and non-existent laws, or just wait and enjoy the waiting,” Kamra wrote.

“It’s been 10 months since I did stand-up, and I’ll see you when I see you (three red heart emojis). To the audience, avoid asking me that question. I promise you’ll be the second to know once I know,” he added.

Kunal Kamra controversy

In March 2025, Kunal Kamra posted his video 'Naya Bharat' in which he sang a parody of Bholi Si Surat, a popular song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai. With this parody song, he allegedly targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him.

Following the controversy, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena youth group, Yuva Sena, vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where the show was filmed. The comedian, who has had several run-ins with the BJP-led Centre, has refused to apologise for his remark against Shinde. However, he has said that he would cooperate with the police.

Kunal also replied to political leaders, "threatening" him to teach a lesson in his official statement. Kamra stated that the 'inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change' the nature of his right. He added that it is not against the law, as far as his knowledge goes.