Samay Raina removes ‘India's Got Latent’ videos following controversy

Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, aka "BeerBiceps," caused a social media uproar with an inappropriate comment about parents and sex on India’s Got Latent, which quickly went viral and was widely condemned as offensive and insensitive

Facing huge backlash, YouTuber Samay Raina has taken down all videos of his popular series, India's Got Latent, following the ongoing controversy surrounding fellow creator Ranveer Allahbadia. The decision comes after Allahbadia's remarks about parents and sex went viral, igniting social media backlash and triggering legal actions.

In a social media post, Raina explained that the situation had become overwhelming. "Everything that is happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India's Got Latent videos from my channel," he wrote. He clarified that the purpose of the series was never to offend anyone, but to provide laughter and entertainment. "My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time," he added.

Raina also responded to the audience reaction, pledging full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. "I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly," Raina stated.

The controversy: Ranveer Allahbadia’s inappropriate remarks

The controversy erupted when podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as "BeerBiceps," made a highly inappropriate remark during an episode of India's Got Latent. The comment, which involved a disturbing comparison about parents and sex, quickly went viral and was met with outrage across various platforms. The remark was condemned as being offensive and insensitive, causing widespread social media backlash.

In response to the uproar, Allahbadia issued an apology on his Instagram, acknowledging the harm caused. "Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry," he said in the video, promising to be more mindful in the future. "I promise to just get better. Have asked the makers of the video to remove the insensitive sections from the video," he added.

Despite this, the controversy spiralled, leading to legal actions. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Assam Police had filed a case against Allahbadia, content creators Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Makhija, and others for promoting obscenity. Additionally, separate complaints were filed with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Women’s Commission, alleging abusive language and offensive remarks toward women. Mumbai Police have since issued summons to both Allahbadia and Samay Raina for questioning.

Public backlash and legal actions

The episode soon caught the attention of not just the public but also politicians. Audience reaction intensified as the issue reached Parliament, where Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske called for stronger regulation of online content. YouTube, responding to the government’s orders, removed the controversial episode from the platform.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) also took up the matter, summoning key individuals, including Raina, Allahbadia, and other creators involved, for questioning in New Delhi on February 17. This move highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by creators and their content in the rapidly growing world of Indian comedy and satirical content.

Meanwhile, the incident has affected Samay Raina personally, with some of his stand-up comedy shows in Ahmedabad and Surat being cancelled due to the ongoing controversy. However, Raina continues with his scheduled performances in the US and Canada, remaining committed to his comedy career despite the turmoil.

As the investigation progresses, the YouTube video controversy continues to spark discussions about the boundaries of comedy and social media content. The case serves as a reminder of the fine line that content creators must navigate when producing satirical content in an increasingly sensitive digital space.