The recent controversy around stray remarks on a comedy show left people divided on its propriety, the ethics acceptable among our society. Does dark comedy have limits when expressed in open spaces like social media and comedy shows? Should there be limits?
A Storm Over What was meant to be a Joke! Or a Joke, that Never was?
In early February 2025, India’s digital landscape was rocked by a controversy stemming from a provocative joke on the popular YouTube show “India’s Got Latent.” Hosted by comedian Samay Raina, the show featured influencer and entrepreneur Ranveer Allahbadia as a guest. During a members-only episode, Allahbadia posed a question to a contestant that many found deeply offensive: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?”
The backlash was swift and intense, igniting debates about the boundaries of edgy comedy and dark humour in contemporary India. This incident raises a critical question: What should be the repercussions for edgy comedy or dark humour in today’s India?
Who is Ranveer Allahbadia? From BeerBiceps to Business Mogul
Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, began his journey as a fitness enthusiast on YouTube. Over time, he expanded his content to encompass self-improvement, entrepreneurship, Hinduism and spirituality. His motivational podcasts and interviews with prominent figures have garnered him a substantial following, positioning him as a reputable voice in personal development circles. Beyond content creation, Allahbadia co-founded Monk Entertainment, a digital media agency managing various influencers and brands.
Who is Samay Raina? The Chess-loving Comedian Who Pushes Boundaries
Samay Raina, a stand-up comedian, gained prominence after winning a national comedy competition. His unique blend of humour and passion for chess led him to popularize chess streaming in India, especially during the global pandemic. Raina’s bold and unconventional comedic style often explores taboo subjects, resonating with younger audiences unafraid to challenge societal norms. In June 2024, he launched “India’s Got Latent,” a YouTube talent show inspired by roast comedy shows such as “Kill Tony” from the US, where contestants showcased diverse talents and received “candid feedback” or were subjected to “roasts” from a panel of judges. Raina’s comedic approach significantly shaped the show’s edgy and irreverent tone.
The Setting: What is ‘India’s Got Latent’ and Why Did it Matter?
“India’s Got Latent” debuted on YouTube in June 2024, offering a platform for contestants nationwide to display talents ranging from singing and dancing to magic and comedy. The show stood out for its unfiltered, dark and edgy humour and candid critiques, appealing primarily to a younger demographic seeking content beyond traditional media’s constraints. In an era marked by increasing digital censorship and heightened sensitivity, the show’s success sparked discussions about the balance between political correctness and creative expression. Its popularity underscored a cultural shift towards embracing content that challenges conventional norms, highlighting the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment.
The Joke that Shook the Complacent!
The controversy ignited during a members-only episode when Ranveer Allahbadia posed an explicit question to a contestant, which many perceived as crossing the line of decency. The show’s format, known for its edgy and provocative humour, had previously featured content that pushed boundaries without significant backlash. In fact, jokes far more offensive than this one have been a regular occurrence on the show. However, this particular joke struck a nerve, leading to widespread outrage.
While the live audience reacted with laughter, reflecting their expectations and the show’s established comedic style, the broader public response was markedly different once the clip circulated online. This disparity highlights the contextual nuances of humour and the varying thresholds of acceptability among diverse audiences.
The Internet Outrage Machine Kicks In
Following the episode’s release, social media platforms erupted with criticism. Hashtags condemning the joke trended, and numerous users demanded accountability. Public figures, influencers, and politicians joined the discourse, amplifying the controversy. The rapid spread of outrage exemplified the power of digital platforms in shaping public opinion and influencing real-world consequences. In response, both Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina issued public apologies, acknowledging the insensitivity of the content and expressing regret for any offence caused. Despite these apologies, the clamour for punitive measures persisted, reflecting the complex dynamics of “cancel culture” and the challenges of navigating public sentiment in the digital age.
From Online Outrage to Legal Action: The FIRs and Police Involvement
The situation escalated when formal complaints were lodged against Allahbadia, Raina, and others involved in the show. The Assam Police registered an FIR, citing charges related to promoting obscenity and engaging in vulgar discussions. Legal sections invoked included provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Information Technology Act 2000, the Cinematograph Act 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986. The Supreme Court intervened, condemning the remarks and imposing restrictions on Allahbadia, such as surrendering his passport and prohibiting the production of further YouTube content. These legal actions sparked debates about the appropriateness of judicial intervention in matters of artistic expression and the potential implications for free speech.
A Dangerous Precedent? The Threat to Free Speech and Comedy in India
The controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina is far from the first time comedians and entertainers have found themselves in the crosshairs of outrage and legal threats in India. One of the most infamous examples of this was the AIB Knockout Roast in 2015. The event, featuring Bollywood actors like Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, was a live comedy roast meant to mimic the format of similar roasts in the West. It contained explicit humour, crude jokes, and edgy banter—nothing that was out of place in the genre of roasts worldwide. Yet, what followed was a nationwide moral panic.
Massive protests erupted, FIRs were filed, and police interrogations ensued. The Maharashtra government launched a full-fledged investigation into whether the roast violated obscenity laws, and the controversy ultimately led to AIB’s slow decline as a comedy collective. What should have been seen as an exercise in adult humour became a national scandal, further tightening the noose around Indian comedians’ creative freedom.
Now, a decade later, we are seeing history repeat itself with “India’s Got Latent.” The difference? The legal apparatus has grown even more aggressive. FIRs have been filed under multiple sections, and the Supreme Court has intervened, imposing restrictions on Allahbadia and potentially setting the stage for full-fledged criminal proceedings. This is no longer just about public sentiment—it is about whether a nation that prides itself on democracy and free speech can truly tolerate controversial humour.
Is the argument that “comedy must have limits” flawed? Who decides these limits? Who determines what is acceptable and what crosses the line? In a diverse, pluralistic society like India, the answer cannot be left to the whims of outrage mobs, politically motivated activists or a judiciary that should ideally be focused on far more pressing issues. When a joke—however distasteful—becomes grounds for legal prosecution, the result is a chilling effect on artistic expression. Every comedian, writer, and creator now faces the looming threat that their words might be weaponized against them, not just by an angry online mob but by the state itself.
Supporters vs. Detractors: The Divided Public Opinion
This controversy has sharply divided public opinion. On one side are the supporters of Allahbadia and Raina, including fellow comedians, artists, and free speech advocates, who argue that humour has always been about pushing boundaries. They point out that India has a long tradition of satire, from ancient folk theatre to political cartoons, and that today’s “cancel culture” and legal crackdowns are nothing short of an attack on creativity. Their argument is simple: If you don’t like a joke, don’t watch it. No one forced anyone to engage with “India’s Got Latent.” To weaponize the law against humour is a sign of growing authoritarianism, where governments and powerful lobbies can dictate what people are allowed to laugh at. On the other hand, in an openly aired show, on a public platform, without any warning, such a remark, out of the blue, hardly leaves the viewer any option not to watch – it catches the viewer suddenly leaving him/her with no choice but to have heard it!
Then, there are the detractors—activists, politicians, and conservative groups—who argue that the joke was offensive, crossed ethical lines, and deserved legal consequences. They claim that comedians need to be more responsible and that jokes that offend religious sentiments or discuss taboo subjects should be off-limits. Many of these voices call for stricter censorship, more content regulation, and harsher punishments for “misuse” of digital platforms.
However, the absurdity of such a legal crackdown is glaring. When India is grappling with severe issues such as high youth unemployment, economic instability, judicial backlogs and more pressing social issues, is this truly where national resources should be directed? Court cases in India take years, sometimes decades, to resolve. There are thousands of under-trial prisoners languishing in jails, yet the Supreme Court has found time to take up a case against a joke. Does this become a gross misallocation of judicial and law enforcement resources.
A democracy does not function by silencing dissent, and humour—even offensive humour—is a form of dissent. Today, it’s Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina. Tomorrow, it could be any comedian, podcaster, writer, or filmmaker. The line keeps shifting until creativity itself is strangled. If we are to preserve any semblance of free speech in India, we must ask ourselves: Are we really ready to put people behind bars for words that were meant in humour, howsoever unrelatable to many in society? A warning, an apology, is perhaps the best answer. And there the buck could have stopped!
Sex is perhaps the easiest subject to crack jokes around. But these can best be shared within close circles, of friends and groups that have gathered to accept humour with few limits. Beyond such groups, the position gets tricky. And some jokes can offend accepted limits of family life and values.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aryan Kishan is a young graduate from the University of Toronto, having Studied economics and statistics. With a professional background in banking and finance, Aryan has worked in institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto and Oister Global in Gurgaon.
