Showing posts with label Ranveer Allahbadia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ranveer Allahbadia. Show all posts
India's Got Latent Season 2 nahin aane dena chahiye-Mukesh Khanna
8:24 AM
Mahima Pandey (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 14, 2026)
The war of words between actor Mukesh Khanna and stand-up comedian Samay Raina is escalating by the day. In the latest turn of events, Mukesh who used to essay the popular superhero Shaktimaan, has expressed his displeasure with Samay’s comments where the comic said the TV show motivated children to jump off rooftops.
Mukesh, in response, called Samay’s content “ashleel” or vulgar.
But first, here’s how it started. In 2025, Samay’s controversial YouTube talent show India's Got Latent attracted controversy for its content which people called offensive and obscene. Mukesh had called it “filth” and claimed it was negatively impacting the youth.
Recently, on his comedy special Still Alive, Samay took a jibe saying it was in fact Mukesh’s Shaktimaan that hurt children: “Tune bachche maare hain, tu kya moral high ground lekar baitha hai?”
Mukesh, 67, tells us, “Ye aadmi khud ko itna bada samajh raha hai ki Shaktimaan ko critisise kar raha hai! Jab poora desh Shaktimaan ke saath hai, agar Samay saath nahin hai toh koi fark nahin padta mujhe.” He also said that India’s Got Latent should not return for season 2: “Ye show nahin aane dena chahiye. Khule aam gaaliyan de rahe hain. I have a complaint against listeners who laugh at such words, and platforms who allow such content.”
We reached out to Samay, but received no comment till the time of going to press.
Kaun Samay, kya Samay? Ranveer takes indirect dig
During his special Still Alive, Samay also made several comments about YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, whose joke became one of the most controversial highlights of India’s Got Latent. Samay even claimed that Ranveer “ruined his mental health”. Ranveer has now indirectly taken a dig at Samay, during a recent interaction with a paparazzo. He said, “Hum dono ka samay chal raha hai.” When the paparazzo brought up Samay Raina’s name, Ranveer replied, “Samay… kaun Samay? Kya Samay? Humara time. It’s our time, my time is now.”
After saying ‘feminism f***** up our society’, Nora Fatehi says people missed ‘the context’
10:25 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 12, 2026)
Actor Nora Fatehi has addressed the backlash over her earlier remarks on feminism, saying her comments were taken out of context and amplified through social media clips. Speaking to Lilly Singh on her podcast, Nora said the conversation around her views was “blown out of proportion”.
“I had a podcast last year where we spoke about feminism, and then small clips came out on reels and TikTok and got blown up. People miss the context,” she said, adding that she is opposed to “extremism” rather than feminism itself.
Nora, who was raised by a single parent, said her views are shaped by her personal experiences: “I know how important it is to have the presence of two parents, whether it’s a mom and a dad, or two moms or two dads… a family that offers security, love, attention and discipline. That’s what I advocate for.”
She added that she approaches the issue from a child’s perspective. “I would have loved to grow up in a home with two parents because that emotional baggage can spill over into adulthood. I would hate for us to live in a world where people stop valuing families,” she said.
At the same time, Nora emphasised the need for balance. “Get your money, fulfil your dreams and work hard. But we also need an environment where men are accountable and step up. Why can’t we be independent, strong and still need each other? Why can’t we share and create balance?” she said.
Her clarification comes months after her comments on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, where she had said, “This idea of ‘I don’t need anybody’… I don’t believe in this. In fact, I think feminism messed up our society completely,” drawing mixed reactions online.
Badshah trolled for chanting ‘Free Samay Raina’ during concert
8:42 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (February 18, 2025)
While many celebrities have slammed YouTubers Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia over some jokes cracked during a recent episode of India’s Got Latent that have been met with swift legal action, others have come out in support of them.
As controversy over the remarks made on the show refuses to die, another celebrity has weighed in on it. None other than singer-rapper Badshah can be seen giving a shoutout to Samay during a concert in a video that has surfaced online.
The singer recently performed at Parul University in Vadodara, Gujarat. Towards the end of his show, while thanking the audience, the 39-year-old took a moment to show his support for Samay by chanting, “Free Samay Raina,” drawing loud cheers from the audience.
An X account that goes by the username @HipHop_Premi shared a clip of the incident, drawing mixed reactions. While one user wrote, “Hats off to this man,” another one commented, “Isiliye Badshah ko koi seriously nahi leta.” Another one pointed out, “Free Samay Raina? Par abhi tak jail toh nahi hui hai.”
For the unversed, Badshah previously appeared as a guest on India’s Got Latent. The two have also collaborated on the music video Baawe (2024), which featured rapper Raftaar.
Notably, Raftaar also reacted to the controversy some days ago, writing in an Instagram Story, “People often enjoy seeing successful individuals fail.”
Death threats pouring in; Ranveer Allahbadia says "I’m feeling scared and I don’t know what to do"
9:49 AM
With the IGL controversy growing bigger, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia has taken to social media saying he is concerned about the safety of his family and himself. He also refuted claims of him being unavailable for police probe
HINDUSTAN TIMES (February 17, 2025)
In yet another development in the controversy involving Ranveer Allahbadia, the podcaster took to Instagram on Saturday evening to clarify that he is not absconding. The clarification was issued after teams of Mumbai and Assam police, who had visited his residence on Friday as part of the probe into the controversial remarks he made on India’s Got Latent (IGL), claimed that they found it locked, and his phone was switched off as well.
Ranveer wrote, “My team and I are cooperating with the police and all other authorities. I will follow due process and be available to all agencies. My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful. It is my moral responsibility to do better and I am genuinely sorry.”
The 31-year-old added that he has been receiving death threats ever since the controversy blew up: “I’m watching death threats pour in from people saying that they want to kill me and hurt my family. People have invaded my mother’s clinic posing as patients. I’m feeling scared and I don’t know what to do. But I’m not running away. I have full faith in the police and the judicial system of India.”
SAMAY SEEKS MORE TIME
The Mumbai Police have given comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina time till March 10 to appear before them in the probe related to Ranveer’s controversial remarks on his show, India’s Got Latent. An official said that Samay’s lawyer met senior police officials seeking more time, since his client is currently in the United States.
APOORVA RECEIVES THREATS, TOO
Meanwhile, social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, who also appeared on the IGL episode featuring Ranveer, is facing threats, too. Sharing an Insta story, her friend Rida Tharana claimed that Apoorva was being subjected to threats of sexual assault.
She wrote, “I’ve never doubted that some people hate women simply for being women just for breathing, existing, loving themselves, and daring to grow. A woman could have the same issue as anyone else, but the fact that she’s a woman always makes it worse. How do you ever feel safe when you’re constantly threatened, scared for your life, and living in a country that was supposed to protect you?”
India's Got Latent row: Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina face second summons
10:25 AM
Maharashtra cyber police register FIR against YouTube reality show India’s Got Latent over ‘vulgar and obscene’ content
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; February 12, 2025)
The Maharashtra Cyber Police have registered an FIR against the jury, producers and the person who uploaded the controversial episode of Samay Raina’s show ‘India’s Got Latent’ on YouTube. The FIR comes after allegations that the show promoted obscenity and contained sexually explicit, vulgar discussions. In addition, the Maharashtra Cyber unit has written to YouTube demanding the deletion of all videos related to the show. Maharashtra State Cyber Cell Special IG Yashashvi Yadav has confirmed these developments on the crass joke row.
All the shows uploaded on YouTube by the organisers have been thoroughly scrutinised from the first episode to the last, and FIRs have been registered against everyone who has participated as a judge,” Yadav said while speaking with mid-day. While reviewing Samay Raina’s YouTube channel—the brain behind “India’s Got Latent”—it was noted that all episodes of the show are hosted on his channel. The first episode was uploaded seven months ago, and the latest episode went live just two weeks ago. Currently, the channel features around 12 episodes; however, some, including the controversial one featuring Ranveer Allahbadia, have been removed from YouTube.
On his X account, Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said, “India’s Got Latent episode on YouTube featuring obscene and perverse comments by Ranveer Allahbadia has been blocked following Government of India orders.”
Over the past seven to eight months, the panel of judges on the show has included personalities such as Tanmay Bhatt, Badshah, Poonam Pandey, Urofi Javed, Bharti Singh, Harsh Limbachiya, Tony Kakkar, Rakhi Sawant, Deepak Kalal, Kunal Kamra, among others.
Special Inquiry Team
The Mumbai Police which was also conducting an enquiry have constituted a three-member Special Inquiry Team (SET) to further probe the crass joke row. Each officer has been assigned specific tasks to ensure a comprehensive investigation. The inquiry was triggered following a complaint submitted to the Mumbai police commissioner and the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, naming YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, comedian Samay Raina, influencer Apoorva Makhija, and the show’s organizers. Sources have said that since the cyber cell has already registered an FIR the Mumbai police may stop their enquiry as Maharashtra cyber will probe the matter further.
On Tuesday, a Mumbai police team visited the Habitat venue—where the disputed episode was filmed—to gather evidence including CCTV footage. However, sources revealed that a black curtain was used during the shoot, limiting surveillance coverage. Moreover, the show is recorded by external videographers who leave with the camera equipment and recorded content immediately after the shoot, complicating evidence retrieval. The investigation is being conducted under BNSS Section 173(3)(1) (information in cognizable cases) which mandates that the probe be completed within 14 days before further legal action is taken.
Additional developments
Further complicating the case, the Guwahati Police have sought assistance from their Mumbai counterparts in their own inquiry into the controversy. On Monday, the Assam chief minister stated that an FIR had also been registered against Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and others for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit discussions during the show. The Guwahati Crime Branch has invoked Sections 79, 95, 294, and 296 of BNS 2023, read in conjunction with Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000; Section 4/7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952; and Section 4/6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Additionally, a team from Versova Police Station visited Ranveer Allahbadia’s residence in Versova as part of the investigation. Police sources have confirmed that both Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina have been contacted and requested to appear before the investigating officer to present their side of the story.
Women’s commission
The Maharashtra Women’s Commission has formally written to the Mumbai police commissioner. The commission is urging the registration of a case against Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva, and their associates, and is requesting that decisive action be taken to ban the show. The letter, submitted by Maharashtra Women’s Commission Chairperson Roopali Chakankar, alleges that the programme featured insensitive remarks towards women, which demeaned and humiliated them, and has called for the imposition of a ban on the show.
What the FIR says
An FIR has been registered under Sections 79, 196, 296, 299, and 3(5) of the BNS and Section 67 of the IT Act against Ranveer Allahabadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Makhija (alias Rebel Kid), as well as against the judges of India’s Got Latent, the show’s producer, and the individual who uploaded it on YouTube. Notably, the FIR does not directly name Samay Raina.
The complainant and his complaint
The complainant is 38-year-old director of a private firm from Santacruz. In his complaint, he has stated: I was watching a YouTube episode of Samay Raina on my mobile phone, While Ranveer Allahabadia, Ashish Chanchalani, Apurva Makhija aka Rebel Kid and others were sitting on the stage as judges, Allahabadia asked the contestants an obscene question. And, after filming the said episode, Raina uploaded it to his own channel. Also, marriage is a religious rite and by insulting religion and religious beliefs, they have acted with intelligence and an evil intention of oppressing religious sentiments.
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Those called for questioning include Siddhant Chaturvedi, Uorfi Javed, Rakhi Sawant, Deepak Kalal, Raftaar and Tanmay Bhat
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; February 13, 2025)
The intensifying probe into the India’s Got Latent controversy has led Maharashtra Cyber and Mumbai Police to begin issuing summons and recording statements of jury members who have appeared in various episodes of the show. According to the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, summons have been issued to several individuals, including Siddhant Chaturvedi, Uorfi Javed, Rakhi Sawant, Deepak Kalal, Dilin Nair (Raftaar), and Tanmay Bhat. All of them have been called in to record their statements.
The investigation is primarily focused on an episode featuring Ranveer Allahabadia as a jury member, which has come under scrutiny amid the crass joke row.
Special IG of Maharashtra Cyber, Yashasvi Yadav, had earlier stated that all episodes of the show are under scrutiny.
Advocate Gunjan Mangla, representing Raina, appeared before Maharashtra Cyber. Raina’s lawyer informed the police that he is currently abroad and will return on March 17. Through his lawyer, Raina has requested time to appear before the investigating officer. His travel ticket and show schedule have also been submitted to them.
Maharashtra Cyber is reviewing all 18 episodes of the show to identify instances of inappropriate language used by jury members. Action will be taken against those found guilty in the crass joke row. Audience members who attended the show will have their statements recorded as witnesses. Participants who engaged in inappropriate language will also face action. Additionally, Maharashtra Cyber has written to YouTube, requesting the removal of episodes containing offensive content.
In their statements, Apoorva Makheeja and Ashish Chanchlani clarified that the show is not scripted. Judges and participants are encouraged to speak freely, but they do not receive any payment. However, judges are allowed to share the show’s content on their social media platforms. The audience must purchase tickets to attend, and the revenue generated from ticket sales is used as the prize money for the show’s winner.
Samay Raina on X: “Everything happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all India’s Got Latent videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are conducted fairly.”
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Cops ask podcaster to appear today after he failed to show up on Thursday
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; February 14, 2025)
The investigation into alleged irregularities in the talent show ‘India’s Got Latent’ has intensified, with both Khar police and the Maharashtra Cyber Cell summoning key individuals linked to the show.
The Khar police has issued a second summons to Ranveer Allahbadia, asking him to appear for questioning. He was initially called to record his statement at 3 pm on Thursday but failed to appear. Following this, police sent a fresh notice directing him to cooperate with the probe and appear today.
Statements from judges
So far, Khar police have recorded statements from seven individuals associated with the show—including Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Makheja, Balraj Singh Ghai’s father (owner of The Habitat Studio), Tushar Pujari (chief programmer/production manager) and three other studio employees.
The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has registered an FIR and is reviewing all episodes of India’s Got Latent. Former judge Raghu Ram recently visited the Cyber Police office and recorded his statement. Several others from the show’s judging panel have also been summoned for questioning.
I can tell criticism from hate-Prajakta Koli
8:48 AM
Dhaval Roy (DNA; June 30, 2019)
On World Social Media Day today, you’d expect an internet star to gush about how the worldwide web has changed their life. But Prajakta Koli aka MostlySane simply says, “I wake up happy!” She elaborates, “When you’re 18, you think at 21 you’re going to be settled and driving your favourite car. But, to me, it came as such a shocker that my dream profession of being a radio jockey didn’t pan out the way I wanted. I was so bad!” That’s when social media came as a saviour and now she has become a sensation. “I feel like it was the best decision ever to do this,” she asserts, albeit admitting, “I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. I am taking each day as it comes.”
In the past four years, the 25-year-old has managed several feats internationally, such as being invited to the United Nations to represent India on World Tolerance Day to an invitation by the Obama Foundation. She was also the only YouTuber in the world to have an exclusive video chat with the platform's Global CEO, Susan Wojcicki, and also the only one from the country to have been invited by Marvel to collaborate with the cast of Captain Marvel Brie Larson and Samuel Jackson.
Over to Prajakta for more...
What’s the best and the worst part about social media according to you?
It has given creators a platform — a place where people can voice opinions and have conversations; where you are visible, have more reach as well as knowledge. The world has no boundaries right now. You could be sitting anywhere and know about anything that you want. The bad part is that we have reached a place where we suddenly let the internet be the controller rather than the other way around.
How do you control the negative side?
When I’m on the net as a consumer and not a creator, I check whether the content is helping me or making me happy or not. When something makes me feel uncomfortable, insecure or insufficient, I know that this is where you draw the line. That’s the only parameter for me.
What about trolls?
Oh, they are like family now (laughs). Initially, it was difficult to not get affected but it didn’t take long for me to realise that I’m not the problem, they are. Netizens are brutally honest since they can hide behind a user name, so that has also taught me tell constructive criticism from hate. Haters are really loyal — they comment on every video and 100 supporters shut them up. That makes for great user engagement, which helps. I don’t reply to them because it will validate their trolling. Also, every time I think of a comeback, I get an idea for a video, so, I’m winning here (laughs).
What are your tips for upcoming influencers or content creators?
Most importantly, content is king. That’s the only thing that will ever work; no matter how much you push into production, expensive equipment and advertising or promotions. The consumers are honest as well as smart and choose what they want to watch, so don’t take them for granted. Just be yourself — talk about what you believe in and want to say.
If you could steal something from an Indian content creator, what would it be and from whom?
There are so many! From Bhuvan Bam, I’d like to learn how to make all the characters so unique — even if he looks the same for all of them. Ashish Chanchlani has this amazing team that I’d like to steal along with how he is so organised. BeerBiceps (Ranveer Allahbadia) has great attention for detail, which I’d like to have.
Aamir Khan's fitness coach refuses to deny or accept that he took steroids for Dangal
8:17 AM
Rahul Bhatt doesn't deny or accept the charge that the actor acquired his Dangal physique that way
Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 9, 2016)
A fitness coach Ranveer Allahbadia has released a video on the internet which clearly insinuates that Aamir Khan has used steroids to get an incredible physique in Dangal.
Rahul Bhatt, Aamir’s fitness coach throughout the making of Dangal, refused to either deny or confirm the charge. Dismissing Allahbadia’s assumptions as inconsequential, he says, “It would amount to breach of confidentiality for me to talk about this. All I can say is, steroids are an occupational hazard in the entertainment industry. It would be naïve to believe that its consumption is nil, and to deny its existence.”
So is Rahul tacitly admitting to the use of steroids for Aamir’s miraculous makeover? He protests, “I am not admitting to anything. Just how my client got that physique, or how any entertainer gets into shape is a matter between the client and the coach. I am not at liberty to talk about this.”
He adds, “Let’s put it this way. If I had a son and he wanted to be an actor I’d never let him mess around with steroids. And only a qualified fitness coach can guide you through a proper regime where you don’t mess up your metabolism with mindless abuse.”
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