The controversy surrounding comedian Samay Raina’s show “India’s Got Latent” continues to escalate. A recent episode featuring YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia sparked widespread criticism after he made a joke about his sex life and parents. The backlash was so severe that it was even discussed in Parliament.
In response to the criticism, Samay Raina posted a statement on Instagram, expressing his difficulty in handling the situation. He stated that he had removed all videos of “India’s Got Latent” from his channel and was willing to cooperate with any agency investigating the matter. His goal, he claimed, was solely to make people laugh and have a good time, without any intention to offend.
The Mumbai Police have recorded statements from six people, including social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, in connection with the case. Samay Raina’s lawyers have requested time for him to appear, as he is currently on a US tour and will return to Mumbai on March 17. However, the police have instructed Raina to appear before them within 14 days from the start of questioning.
The police have so far recorded statements from judges Ashish Chanchalani and Apoorva Makhija, as well as technical experts associated with the show. Ranveer Allahabadia’s team has also offered to record their statement. The Maharashtra Cyber Department has filed an FIR against “India’s Got Latent” following the controversial comments made by Ranveer Allahabadia.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has condemned the show, calling for it to be banned. In a letter to Amit Shah, the association expressed its outrage over the show’s content, which it deemed to be pornographic and unacceptable in civilized society. The letter alleged that the show’s hosts and judges had crossed moral boundaries with their language and comments about family and parents.
The association further stated that the show was a cheap scheme to earn money, disguised as stand-up comedy. It accused the comedians of using vulgar content to increase their subscribers and gain fame through controversy. The AICWA has called for a criminal FIR to be registered against Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, and others associated with the show.