February 11, 2025 | Mumbai
YouTube has removed an episode of India’s Got Latent featuring YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps), comedian Samay Raina, and social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija, following widespread criticism and legal complaints. The controversial episode, which initially aired as a members-only video, sparked outrage due to an inappropriate question posed by Ranveer during the show.
The issue gained traction after a clip from the episode went viral, leading to public outrage and multiple FIRs against Ranveer, Samay, Apoorva, and the show’s creators. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has strongly condemned the show, demanding a complete ban and stricter regulations on digital content.
What Sparked the Controversy?
During the episode, Ranveer Allahbadia asked a contestant an explicit and inappropriate question involving their parents, which many viewers found offensive and vulgar. Social media users criticized the remarks, calling them distasteful and disrespectful to societal values. The backlash was swift, with many demanding accountability from the show’s creators.
As criticism mounted, Ranveer issued a public apology, admitting that his remarks were inappropriate. “Comedy is not my forte. My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. I’m just here to say sorry,” he stated in his apology video. Despite this, legal actions and calls for stricter content regulation continued.
Legal Action & Government Response
Following the public uproar, FIRs were filed against Ranveer, Samay Raina, and Apoorva Mukhija under various sections related to obscene and offensive content. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in, stating that while freedom of expression is important, there are limits that must be respected.
Meanwhile, Kanchan Gupta, Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, confirmed that YouTube had blocked the episode in India after government intervention.
AICWA’s Call for a Ban
In an official statement, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called India’s Got Latent a “threat to the moral fabric of society” and demanded an immediate and absolute ban on the show. The organization also urged filmmakers, actors, and technicians to boycott Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia, stating that the Indian film industry would no longer support them.
AICWA further outlined four key demands:
- Complete ban on India’s Got Latent to prevent further dissemination of its content.
- Severe legal action against Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia.
- Filing of FIRs against all individuals involved in the show’s production.
- Stricter regulations on digital content to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Samay Raina’s Seattle Show Amid Controversy
As the controversy unfolded in India, Samay Raina was performing in Seattle as part of his international comedy tour. His friend and India’s Got Latent judge Balraj Singh Ghai shared pictures and videos from the show. While Ranveer publicly addressed the backlash, Samay and the India’s Got Latent team have yet to comment on the matter.
Public Reaction & Industry Impact
The controversy has sparked a larger debate on content regulation in India’s digital space. While some argue that digital creators should have creative freedom, others stress the need for ethical responsibility and stricter guidelines for online content.
As legal proceedings unfold and industry bodies push for stricter oversight, the fate of India’s Got Latent remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear—the incident has set a precedent for accountability in digital content creation, prompting discussions on where to draw the line between entertainment and offensive material.