Comedy venues in India are grappling with financial losses, security concerns, and reputational damage as rising controversies lead to vandalism and abrupt show cancellations.
The Kunal Kamra controversy has once again raised the question of whether hosting standup comedy in India is a viable business or if the risk is becoming too high.
From vandalism to last-minute show cancellations, venue partners increasingly find themselves caught in the crossfire.
When a standup show is forcefully cancelled, venues bear a heavy financial burden. Ticket sales, food and beverage revenue, and other ancillary earnings take a direct hit. “A full-house standup event on a weekend contributes significantly to our monthly revenue. When a show gets cancelled, we lose not just ticket sales but also substantial food and drink sales,” said a venue owner from Mumbai.
Recently, Shiv Sena members vandalised the Habitat Centre in Khar, Mumbai, where standup comedian Kamra's show was held.
In his statement, Kamra said that an entertainment venue is merely a platform. "A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”
Venue partners couldn't agree more.
Barely surviving
"Beyond immediate losses, recurring disruptions also create long-term financial instability. Venue partners often allocate resources such as marketing, logistics, and staff well in advance of an event. A cancellation means wasted investments, staff rescheduling issues, and operational inefficiencies," said Nishant Kini, who manages shows of comedians.
Dinesh Bhutani, Founder of SuperTalks India, a boutique comedy club, highlighted the struggles of venue owners hosting comedy shows, stating that many are barely surviving.
“They (venue owners) are unable to pay rents or retain staff, as most venues are run by comics themselves. Typically, a small team of struggling comedians come together to create a space, hoping it will serve as a launchpad for new talent. It’s more of a necessity than a business, and many venues shut down because the model isn’t sustainable.”
He noted that property damage can force venues to halt operations for 3-6 months.
A comic from Delhi who is also a venue owner where he hosts comedy shows said that it takes Rs 5-8 lakh to put together a small 30-35-seater room while a big set-up costs nothing less than Rs 25-50 lakh.
Unfunny business
Lalit Bhatia, who is a comic and runs Nerds of Comedy club in Gurugram, also bore the brunt of a backlash a comic faced.
"There was a situation when a comic in his YouTube video had said something that offended people. When his live show was happening at our venue, the area’s police made our life difficult. Some schedules were impacted and we were asked not to do shows."
Another venue owner shared a similar incident. "A comic had cracked a joke. Two audience members got offended, left the studio, returned with around 70 people, and demanded that we bring the comic out so they could hit him. Fortunately, the comic had left the venue. Such incidents take a mental toll on us. People should take a joke as a joke. If they don't like it, they should let it go."
A comedy club in Noida last year was raided by 15-20 people who went Insta Live from the venue to call more people. This was after a comic's video clip asking why people give respect to cows and not to bulls went viral. A month later, a fringe group threatened the venue owners that either they would present the comic to them or they would destroy the property.
"Just when the Kunal Kamra incident happened, there was another comic who was recording his solo show. He cancelled the show and refunded the money for an estimated 300-400 tickets that were sold. In such situations, everyone, from comics, venue partners to online ticket platforms from where people book tickets for such shows, loses money," noted Yash Bhatia, a Delhi-based standup comedian.
Reputation at stake
Yash Bhatia pointed out that venues that host open mics in the past have covered their names using black curtains. "Also, if you book tickets of high profile comics, venue details are shared via email only after the tickets are booked so that people don't come in groups. While for a comic, word of mouth is important as it brings in more people and more ticket sales, these measures need to be taken for everyone's safety. Venue partners have become sceptical of political comedy shows and comics are not getting spots."
Bhutani said that a venue's reputation suffers the most in such situations. “First-time visitors are the most affected, leading to negative word of mouth. Violent incidents further instill fear, discouraging audiences from attending.”
Regular cancellations impact footfalls at the venue, as audiences may become wary of booking shows in fear of disruptions. “When people buy tickets, they expect a hassle-free evening. If a venue gains a reputation for frequent show cancellations, people hesitate to make reservations in the future,” said a Bengaluru-based venue manager. This, in turn, affects a venue’s overall brand perception, reducing customer trust and engagement.
Mental stress
Venue owners and managers say that it is not just the financial implications, they also go through emotional stress when handling cancellations, particularly if the reason involves vandalism or threats. A venue partner in Delhi recounted a recent incident where a show was abruptly called off due to external pressure: “We had to refund tickets, deal with angry customers, and ensure our staff’s safety. It was a nightmare.”
It takes weeks of preparation for venue partners to organise a comedy show and years of hard work for a comic to bring a smile to their audience’s faces.
Preparing for a standup show requires meticulous planning which includes sound checks, seating arrangements, security measures, and marketing efforts. “It takes weeks to plan, and when it gets cancelled, it’s like watching your hard work go to waste,” said another venue partner.
"The first video Kamra had put online, he had recorded 17 times. That’s the amount of hard work that is needed. It is also an expensive process. A comic needs to book a venue. Venue rents range from Rs 1,500-3,000 for a 20-25 seater for two hours when a show is not recorded. If a show is being recorded then it costs around Rs 22,000-25,000. If the capacity is 300-350, the rent ranges from Rs 80-90,000. Also, the editing process is expensive as one has to pay around Rs 800 per minute. This is just video editing, sound editing cost is separate. Behind a 45-minute comedy show, there is years and months of hard work of both the comic and venue partner," said Yash Bhatia.
Ahmed Shariff, a part-time comedian and content creator, said that the future looks very grim for standup comedy in India.
Is it worth the risk?
With increasing incidents of backlash, venue owners are now reconsidering whether standup comedy is worth the risk. The fear of controversy, potential threats, and forced cancellations make it a challenging proposition. Some venues have even started implementing stricter content guidelines or opting out of comedy events altogether, said Kini.
For open mic shows, owners of prominent venues ask the comics to send the videos in advance to check for any controversial jokes.
A venue owner in Pune said that a major concern is the lack of clear legal protection or assurances against disruptions. “If a show is cancelled due to pressure from fringe groups, there is no structured mechanism for us to claim damages. We’re left to fend for ourselves.”
Bhutani stressed that a comedian’s views are their own, not reflective of the venue. “These spaces exist for aspiring comics. Established comedians can reach audiences from anywhere—even their homes, which isn't the case with the beginners.”
Habitat, which was also in the headlines when YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's comment during India's Got Latent show sparked a row, in a statement after the Kamra show, said that they are shutting down until they figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression. The statement said that just providing a stage helps people discover their creativity.
Bhutani added that venues are essential for emerging talent. “For every five well-known comedians performing at a single venue in a week, there are 50 beginners who come on the same stage in that week.”
Kini noted that there is a noticeable dip in the number of live standup comedy shows. "Many comedians are moving to online platforms or exploring international gigs to avoid domestic disruptions. This shift not only affects performers but also venue partners who rely on live entertainment as a key revenue stream."
While standup comedy remains a powerful medium of expression, its future in India is increasingly uncertain, he added.
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