Kunal Kamra is a prominent Indian stand-up comedian and social media influencer, widely recognized for his comedic commentary on Indian politics and patriotism.

Wiki/Biography

Born on October 2, 1988 (age 35 as of 2024), in Mahim, Mumbai, Kunal Kamra’s zodiac sign is Libra. He comes from a family with a business background. His schooling was in Mumbai, followed by an attempt at a commerce degree at Jai Hind College, which he left midway. At 17, he began his career as an intern at MTV’s in-house production team. This was followed by a six-year stint at Prasoon Pandey’s Corcoise Films as a production assistant, gaining experience in international shoots, commercials, and high-level media interactions.

In 2013, seeking a change, a friend, Siddharth Dudeja, introduced him to stand-up comedy. His first professional performance was at the Blue Frog in 2013 – a chance encounter while supporting a friend, Karunesh Talwar.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5’7″
• Hair Colour: Black
• Eye Colour: Black

Family & Caste

Kunal Kamra hails from a Hindu family. His father is a pharmacist in Mumbai. Details about his mother and siblings remain largely private.

Career

Kamra’s stand-up career began in 2013 at the Canvas Club in Mumbai. His success led to numerous performances and widespread audience appreciation. In 2017, he co-launched the podcast “Shut Up Ya Kunal” with Ramit Verma, featuring public figures in humorous discussions. Guests have included prominent individuals from various political and social backgrounds. The podcast achieved significant online popularity, with some episodes garnering millions of views.

His 2018 performance, “Patriotism and the Government,” satirizing the use of nationalism in political discourse, went viral. He also collaborated with East India Comedy (EIC) on the video “Kaun Banega Trollpati,” a satirical take on right-wing social media trolls, which gained significant online views.

Controversies

Kamra’s career has been marked by several controversies. These include a 2017 Twitter controversy leading to account deletion, and a 2020 ban from several Indian airlines for an incident involving journalist Arnab Goswami on a flight. In 2024, a public Twitter exchange with Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal regarding Ola’s scooter service further added to his controversial public image.

Facts

• He’s an avid biker, owning a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
• He is known to enjoy smoking and alcohol.
• His comedic idols include Douglas Stanhope, Louis CK, and Bill Burr.
• He counts Anuvab Pal and Karunesh Talwar among his favorite comedians.
• He previously faced eviction from his Mumbai apartment due to the political nature of his work.
• He has openly discussed his dyslexia, impacting his ability to process written communication.
• His podcast’s popularity has made him a controversial but influential figure.
• He’s known for targeting figures like PM Narendra Modi and Arnab Goswami in his comedy.
• He has reported receiving death threats due to his outspoken humor.
• He started his comedy career performing open mics between sets of established comedians.
• A 2019 incident involving Republic TV led to online harassment and a temporary Twitter deactivation.
• He left college early to pursue a career in advertising, only informing his parents years later after earning a stable income.

Regarding his comedic focus on politics, Kamra stated in an interview: “I’m interested in politics because it’s amusing. Politics and pop culture are blending now. Everything’s political. In comedy, your premise has to be relatable, and your punchline hilarious. Politics fits that bill perfectly.”

Key Stats

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