From Kunal Kamra’s sharp political satire to Samay Raina’s viral controversy, several Indian comedians have faced legal trouble and public outrage over their performances. Here’s a look at some of the most high-profile cases.
Renowned for his fearless political humor, Kunal Kamra stirred controversy after tweaking a popular Hindi song to label Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor). The act enraged Shiv Sena supporters, leading to vandalism at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, which was temporarily shut down over safety concerns.
Kamra’s history of controversy extends beyond stand-up. In 2020, he was banned by multiple airlines after confronting journalist Arnab Goswami mid-flight, sparking debates on free speech and airline policies.
Samay Raina faced intense backlash after an episode of his show India’s Got Latent went viral. Guest Ranveer Allahbadia made an inappropriate remark about a contestant’s parents, triggering police complaints. Raina promptly removed the episode and expressed his willingness to cooperate with authorities.
Munawar Faruqui’s legal troubles began in 2021 when he was arrested in Indore over alleged offensive jokes about Hindu deities and Amit Shah—though reports suggest the jokes were never made. The incident led to nationwide show cancellations and reignited debates on free speech.In 2024, after winning Bigg Boss 17, he faced backlash for a crowd-work remark about Konkani people in Taloja
In 2016, AIB co-founder Tanmay Bhat sparked outrage with a Snapchat video mimicking Sachin Tendulkar, and Lata Mangeshkar using face filters. Seen as disrespectful, the video intensified backlash against AIB, already under scrutiny for their controversial roast.
Vir Das ignited a storm in 2021 with his Two Indias monologue at Washington’s Kennedy Center. While some applauded his critique, others accused him of defaming India. Legal complaints and demands for an apology followed, cementing his reputation as a comedian unafraid to push boundaries.
Despite his image as a family-friendly comedian, Kapil Sharma has had his share of controversies. In 2016, he faced backlash for sexist remarks about women in government jobs. His public fallout with co-star Sunil Grover, reportedly involving mid-flight abuse, further damaged his reputation, leading to a brief career slump.
In 2016, Comedy Nights with Kapil comedian Kiku Sharda was briefly jailed for mimicking Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Charged under IPC Section 295A for outraging religious sentiments, his arrest highlighted the thin line between comedy and offense in India.