The YouTube program ‘India’s Got Latent’, hosted by comedian Samay Raina, has recently ignited considerable controversy. The incident began when guest judge Ranveer Allahbadia made an inappropriate comment during an episode, which rapidly circulated online and attracted widespread disapproval. This led to several police complaints in various cities, such as Mumbai and Guwahati, accusing the show’s participants of endorsing obscenity and engaging in indecent discussions.
Statements Given to Mumbai Police
On February 12, 2025, social media influencer Apoorva Makhija and YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani visited the Khar police station in Mumbai to give their statements concerning the matter. Both influencers explained that ‘India’s Got Latent’ is a spontaneous format where judges and participants are encouraged to express themselves openly. They stressed that the judges do not receive payment for their appearances; instead, they can freely share content from the show across their personal social media accounts. Furthermore, they pointed out that attendees purchase tickets for entry into the show, with proceeds directed toward rewarding the eventual winner.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations
The Maharashtra Cyber Department has acknowledged this issue by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the program. Over 40 individuals have been summoned for questioning as part of this investigation, including Allahbadia and Raina. Additionally, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sent summonses to Allahbadia, Raina, Makhija, Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh along with producers Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra instructing them to appear on February 17 in New Delhi.
In another development related to this case, a team from the Assam Police has traveled to Mumbai for further inquiries. The Crime Branch of Guwahati previously lodged an FIR against multiple individuals associated with ‘India’s Got Latent’ over allegations of promoting obscenity through lewd discussions.
The incident has surcharged public outrage with several netizens expressing their anger, demanding nothing less than an explicit apology by the respective individuals. The whole affair has also caught the attention of politics. Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske raised the issue in Parliament, arguing for more stringent regulation of social media content to stop “keeping obscene stuff.”
The All Indian Cine Workers Association has condemned the statements made on the show and demanded the immediate ban of India’s Got Latent. They have demanded that legal action be taken against those responsible, asserting that such content harms the very moral fabric of society.
Conclusion
As the investigation progresses, how it is resolved will largely depend on how those involved will address these allegations and the public demand for accountability. This controversy has opened up a wider debate on the limits of comedy and the responsibilities of content makers in this digital age.
