Pune’s comedy scene remains largely unaffected by the recent controversy involving Kunal Kamra. While some venues report that no special measures have been implemented, others indicate they are closely monitoring their performers’ content. The city is set to host the Pune Comedy Festival next week, and organizers are optimistic about the event proceeding without issues.Several FIRs have been filed against Kamra in Maharashtra for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. On Friday, the comedian secured interim anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court until April 7.
“While there have always been general guidelines for artists, such as respecting people’s beliefs and sentiments, there is now a heightened scrutiny regarding negligence. This has prompted a need for more stringent policies from platforms, organizers, and management,” said a manager from a comedy club in Hinjewadi.Artists are now more mindful of their sets and selective about the content they present. Although abusive language hasn’t been a major concern for most organizers, vulgarity is seen as a primary restriction. No new rules have been established for the audience, aside from the existing no-phone policy.
Speaking to The Indian Express, an organizer of the upcoming Pune Comedy Festival stated, “We take pride in the Pune Comedy Festival, the largest comedy festival in the country, which has maintained a clean record of goodwill with both our audience and the authorities. We hope that this continues into this edition as well.”Platforms have not expressed significant concerns, as local authorities have not taken explicit action. However, sources suggest that “they anticipate changes in regulation and content warning policies for live performances.
”The Hinjewadi manager noted that there has not been a noticeable decline in audience attendance due to the controversies. In fact, such situations often result in a temporary increase in interest in stand-up comedy.The controversy began with Kamra’s stand-up act titled ‘Naya Bharat’ in February at Habitat Studio in Hotel Unicontinental, Khar, after a video from the show was uploaded to YouTube last week.Kamra shared a clip from the performance on his YouTube channel and social media. Following the video’s viral success, Shiv Sena workers vandalized the studio. In response, the police initiated a suo motu case against the Sena workers, leading to the arrest of 12 individuals, who were later released on bail.
