Comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube series, ‘India’s Got Latent,’ is facing significant backlash following a controversial statement made by guest Ranveer Allahbadia. In a recent episode, Allahbadia asked an inappropriate question to a contestant, prompting the clip to go viral and sparking public outrage. This controversy has resulted in multiple police complaints filed in Mumbai and Guwahati, alleging that the show’s content promotes obscenity and vulgar discourse.
Samay Raina’s Response
Amidst the growing uproar, Samay Raina addressed the situation via social media, announcing his decision to remove all episodes of ‘India’s Got Latent’ from his channel. He expressed that the ongoing developments are overwhelming for him. His statement included: “Everything that is happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all ‘India’s Got Latent’ videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and enjoy themselves. I will fully cooperate with all agencies involved to ensure their inquiries conclude justly. Thank you.”
Legal Actions and Investigations
In response to the incident, the Maharashtra Cyber Department has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the show and summoned over 40 individuals for questioning, including both Raina and Allahbadia. Additionally, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued summonses to various figures connected with the program—Allahbadia, Raina, Apoorva Makhija, Jaspreet Singh, Ashish Chanchlani—as well as producers of the show; they are expected to appear on February 17 in New Delhi.
Public Reaction and Demands for Apology
Despite Raina’s efforts to address this issue through video removals, many online users remain dissatisfied with his response due to a lack of direct apology. There have been numerous comments across social media expressing discontentment with statements like “Where’s the apology?” suggesting that audiences desire clearer accountability regarding this matter.
Industry reactions
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) denounces the show for its statements and calls for an outright ban on ‘India’s Got Latent’. They also request action against the producers, averring that such content threatens society’s moral fabric.
It is still not clear how Samay Raina and the other parties will respond to the public’s call for a formal apology. The incident narrows down to a wider debate of comedy boundaries and comportment of the content makers on digital platforms.
Now, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell has lodged a FIR against the show and summoned 40-plus people, including Allahbadia and Raina, for questioning. The NCW has also issued summonses to Allahbadia, Raina, Apoorva Makhija, Jaspreet Singh, Ashish Chanchlani, and the show’s producers for questioning at New Delhi on February 17.
