Offensive remarks by Ranveer Allahbadia and removal of the show
On 10 February 2025, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, appeared as a guest judge in the shows Bonus Episode 6 alongside YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija, and Jaspreet Singh. [38] During the episode, Allahbadia made a remark that sparked widespread controversy. He asked the following question to a contestant:
Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once to make it stop forever? [39]
The remark led to significant backlash on social media. A police complaint was filed against Allahbadia for "promoting obscenity" and using offensive language. The complaint was submitted to the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the National Commission for Women, which led to an inquiry and the registration of an FIR against Allahbadia, as well as Apoorva Mukhija and comedian Samay Raina. [40]
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the incident, stating,
I have come to know about it. I haven’t seen it yet. Things have been said and presented in the wrong way. Everyone has freedom of speech, but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others... In our society, we have certain rules, and if someone violates them, it is absolutely wrong, and action should be taken against them, [41]
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also announced that an FIR had been filed by the Guwahati police against the individuals involved in the incident for promoting obscenity and engaging in inappropriate discussions. [42]
On February 10, 2025, Allahbadia issued a video in which he stated that the controversial segments had been removed from the show, acknowledging that the attempt at humor was not well received. [43] On February 12, 2025, Samay Raina removed all episodes of India's Got Latent from his YouTube channel, stating that he would fully cooperate with the authorities to ensure a fair inquiry. [44]
Following this, the Maharashtra Police filled a complaint against Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia for "creating obscene content" and airing it on the shows YouTube channel. [45] [46] [47]
Apoorva Mukhija reported on social media about receiving threats of being raped & murdered on her social media accounts due to her presence at that episode. [48] [49] She was dropped from the list of guests for the International Indian Film Academy awards in Jaipur after the Karni Sena publicly declared its intention to physically assault her in protest of her actions if she arrived in the state. [50] A Hindu right-wing vigilante outfit in Gwalior issued a bounty of ₹100,000 (US$1,153 at that time) for violently assaulting Allahbadia. [51]
The entire controversy around Allahbadia's comments was fanned by the India's pro-government right-wing media outlets into a moral panic about Gen-Z Indian youth being corrupted by decadant Western values via social media, [52] as it appeared that Allahbadia had copied that infamous joke from an Australian YouTube channel called TheOG Crew where it was directed by an Australian stand-up comedian Sammy Walsh towards another man Alan Fang two weeks before Allahbadia endorsed it on the show. [53] [54] Newslaundry opines that the entire controversy is being overhyped by the pro-government media. [55]
On 14 February 2025, a parliamentary committee wrote to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting seeking laws to regulate digital content like podcasts & OTT s in the light of this incident. [56]
