YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia has apologised to a contestant on India’s Got Latent after making an inappropriate remark that sparked national outrage. According to Mumbai-based audience member Mohit Khubani, Allahbadia repeatedly asked the contestant if he was comfortable, saying, “Sorry aapko bura toh nahi laga?” (Sorry, did it hurt you?) multiple times.
Mr. Khubani revealed that the contestant later won the show, and Allahbadia hugged him on stage. He added that both Ranveer Allahbadia and host Samay Raina kept checking if the contestant was fine with the jokes, with Raina also asking, “Are you okay?” multiple times.
The controversy erupted after a clip from the episode went viral, showing Ranveer Allahbadia asking the contestant an offensive question. The clip triggered widespread outrage, with social media users and politicians condemning the show’s vulgar content. Calls for the show’s ban in India intensified, leading to multiple FIRs filed against Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and fellow panellists Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija.
Following the backlash, Ranveer Allahbadia issued a public apology, acknowledging his lapse in judgment and expressing regret for his comments. In response to the controversy, Samay Raina deleted all episodes of India’s Got Latent from his YouTube channel.
The Supreme Court began hearing Allahbadia’s petition seeking the consolidation of multiple FIRs filed against him. During the proceedings, the court criticised his remarks, calling them “vulgar” and stating that he should feel “ashamed” of his actions. However, the court granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest and ordered that no further cases be filed against him regarding the matter.
This incident has sparked a nationwide debate on the limits of comedy, content moderation, and creators’ responsibilities on digital platforms.
