Comedian Samay Raina has opened up about the controversy surrounding his YouTube show India’s Got Latent, expressing a tinge of regret for not editing out certain parts that later sparked public outrage. While he has confirmed that the show will return, he remains uncertain about the timeline.
Samay Raina on the India's Got Latent controversy
In a recent promotional video for Bold Care, a sexual wellness brand co-owned by actor Ranveer Singh, Samay was interviewed by podcaster Raj Shamani and asked if India’s Got Latent would ever make a comeback.
When questioned about what the controversy taught him, Samay replied, “There will be highs and lows in one’s life. I realised that you should be bold regardless of what... But there is a limit to the boldness as well.”
He added, “once something is released, it can't be taken back.”
In what appeared to be a subtle reference to Ranveer Allahbadia’s controversial comment that contributed to the uproar, Samay reflected, “Kai baar unwanted cheezein reh jaati hai life mein... Jisko baadmein dekhke regret karte ho ke kaash maine uss time yeh kat diya hota... Par bahut der ho gai hoti hai (Many times, unwanted things stay in life... which we later look back on and regret, thinking 'if only I had cut that out back then’... But it's often too late by then).”
When asked whether the show will return soon, Samay quipped, “Woh toh Samay hi bata payega (Only time will tell)... Main nahi (And I am not talking about myself). You need to give it some time. Good things take time. Time is the best healer.”
Samay Raina Announces Comeback Tour
Despite the setback, Samay is set to resume his career with a comeback stand-up tour. Earlier this month, he announced via Instagram that he would be performing across Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The tour begins in Koln on June 5 and wraps up in Sydney on July 20.
He hinted that the controversy will be addressed in his new material, writing, “The most testing time of my life makes for the best comedy. See you on the tour,” on his Instagram Story. The tour marks an important step in reclaiming his public image and career after the fallout from India’s Got Latent.
What Sparked the India’s Got Latent Row
The controversy erupted after an FIR was filed against several individuals involved in the show, including Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, and Ranveer Allahbadia. They were accused of promoting obscenity and making sexually explicit remarks in a publicly accessible video.
The backlash intensified when a clip featuring Ranveer Allahbadia making a ‘sex with parents’ comment went viral. The statement was widely condemned on social media for being insensitive, leading to significant public outrage and scrutiny of the show.