Mumbai: In a candid and humorous stand-up performance titled “Still Alive,” popular comedian Samay Raina addressed the massive controversy surrounding his YouTube show India’s Got Latent, using sharp wit to mock the intense backlash it received. The special, which runs for over an hour and was uploaded on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, saw Raina reflect on the events of February 2025 while announcing plans to revive the show with a new season.
The controversy erupted when podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, made a controversial remark about parents and sex during an episode of the show. The comment quickly went viral, triggering widespread outrage on social media, multiple police complaints across the country, and intense scrutiny from politicians, celebrities, and regulatory bodies. The National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia, and other panellists including Apoorva Mukhija (Rebel Kid), Jaspreet Singh, and Ashish Chanchlani, along with producers. The issue even reached Parliament, turning into one of the biggest digital content controversies in recent times.
Raina, who hosted the show, revealed that he had remained largely silent during the particular episode. “I didn’t even say anything in that episode. I was sitting quietly in the corner,” he said, adding the now-viral line: “Hum Kashmiri crossfire mein hi marte hain… Hell broke loose.” He described the reaction as wildly disproportionate to what he called “a f****ing joke that you didn’t like.”
Drawing from his Kashmiri Pandit background, Raina used the metaphor to explain how he felt caught in the middle of the storm. He recounted his family’s history of fleeing the Kashmir Valley overnight for survival rather than engaging in an unfair fight. He said during the time he was asked by the Mumbai Police was he apologetic for his act? He recalled George Orwell’s quote- “Every joke is a tiny Revolution” but then he pondered at the situation and realised its only valid when the fight is fair, if the fight is not fair it is better to F*** off from there. So using his Kashmiri Pandit wisdom he chose to apologise and get over it. “We are five percent in Kashmir. If my parents would have taken up arms… they all would have died. I’m so glad all the Kashmiri Pandits fled the Valley overnight. Today we are still alive, still killing it, still f***ing rocking it wherever we are. That’s what it is about sometimes… it’s about survival,” he shared emotionally.
Raina defended his decision to stand by Ranveer Allahbadia initially, referring to him as “the monk who sold my Ferrari.” However, he admitted that even he could not defend the specific joke at home. He criticised several public figures who joined the pile-on, including comedian Sunil Pal, singer B Praak, and even took a light-hearted swipe at the fictional superhero Shaktimaan for moral posturing.
The comedian also deleted all 18 episodes of India’s Got Latent from his channel amid the legal and public pressure, stating it had become overwhelming. Reflecting on internet culture in India, Raina remarked that creators often play characters online and that honest expression could lead to constant legal troubles. “In India, the Internet is not a platform to showcase your art. In India, the Internet is a game we play to set a high score in our bank accounts,” he observed.
Despite the setback, Raina expressed excitement about returning stronger. “Show toh main laoonga, bhai,” he declared, promising a “wild, wild f***ing show” and noting that the first season could not have ended on a higher note. He emphasised his desire to continue having fun with comedy while staying mindful of the environment.
Through his special, Samay Raina blended humour, personal reflection, and defiance, turning a major professional crisis into material that resonated with his audience. The performance has sparked fresh discussions on cancel culture, freedom of expression in digital comedy, and the fine line between edgy humour and public sensitivity in India.
Also Read: Aditya Dhar Hails ‘Dhurandhar’ Composer For Creating 14 Songs In 11 Days
