Kunal Kamra and the Curious Case of Free Speech in Comedy:

All artists dream of changing the world for the better. They do their bit and move on because the world will change at its own pace. Kunal Kamra did his bit and is now bitter like a gourd.

Kunal Kamra is a modest artist. He did not go over the top and say he wanted to change the world. His aim was to change the government. He does not believe in comedy kar dariya mein daal. He takes his work as well and his jokes as equally serious. In the most recent stand up Kamra did that seems to have led to the most recent outburst, he claimed the room was in good spirits because the BJP had been reduced to a measly 239 seats. ‘In all modesty, it’s terrible’.

Kamra makes claims that people who value free speech and expression will always come to his defence. This is a right, one of the most important in a democracy, which is provided in our Constitution. After the performance which will examine the extent of that might, Kunal Kamra brandishes a thin version of the constitution with Rahul Gandhi's face on it.

The audience feels validated when a comedian cracks a joke at their expense. A comic routine has an element of artistry with authentic punch lines which make a controlable attempt at laughter unlike unsophisticated street humor. If it fails, so be it. In India, such attempts are as risky as suicide bombs.

Kamra finds no compassion in the BJP or its myopic leader, Modi. He, as a citizen, is entitled to such an opinion. A comedian is a master of sharp language and bitter truths. But when personal bitterness looms large, comedy shrinks into a pale shadow of politics. Politics is a wonderful slave to a comic but a terrible master.

Kunal Kamra, his apprentice turned disciple, became the voice of his master. Eknath Shinde was called “gaddar”. Uddhav Thackeray has assigned that job to Sanjay Raut. Narendra Modi is referred to as a “tanashah” by Rahul Gandhi. Kamra goes a step further and puts the label of “qaatil”. Without evidence, there aren’t chances to be taken. The response from BJP shifted from cold to ice-like as Kamra matured, gained confidence, and bolder. Until he knocked at the wrong door. That of a Shiv Sainik, the original Munbai offenders who never fail to take offense.

Similar to professional comedians, Kamra has what is called a comic timing which lets him excel in making the audience laugh. But the change he wants is something only people can provide. He gathers the street jibes, dresses them with upper class style, employs the craft of a caricaturist, and serves it back to the idiots. In that, he is successful. The opposition that is meant to do Kahmra’s work, which is to defeat the BJP, is the one who lets him down. They fight harder than siblings do over a deceased parent’s estate.

The most senior of opposition leaders is as poorly timed as he is, which gives Kamra’s comic timing a run for its money. The BJP does not pay many comedians to partake in the show as they have a deficit of self reliant intellect. Add some prudishness and rudeness then blend it all with lude-o and finish with crude, And there you have it, dude. It’s as simple as that.

Kunal Kamra has his audiences in shreds, reports say Shinde unselfishly split the Sena. Put simply, the audience judgement was divided too, some were laughing at him for being so funny while the rest weren't for being so not funny. What should have been hilariously comic was overly tragic in its needlessness.

Habitat is the top venue in the entire mumbai comedy circuit. That is now a bloody crime scene. Here, Samay Raina hosted India’s Got Latent. Kamra was a judge, and so was Ranveer Allahabdai. Now, he is a participant in court proceedings in Assam and Maharashtra, while a real judge presides over the proceedings. Samay Raina is on the run. Kamra is now staying in Tamil Nadu because there is no longer any safety for him in Mumbai.

Kunal Kamra was pleased to hear a lady constable had slapped Kangana Ranaut. He was also pleased watching her house get bulldozed. What has she done? She did something Kamra, and many others, thought was quite humorous. Now, Nitesh Rane has said that Kamra will be guaranteed a phatka wherever he is spotted in public. Ku Rane and many others did not find what he said funny at all.

One would say, ‘Comedy is a funny business.’ Indeed, free speech is a funny business. To begin with, one doesn’t know where the lines are set, but after the tumble the hearer is bound to know one thing- it ends.