India’s Got Latent controversy: The fallout when viral content comes at the cost of decency

Inappropriate comments made by Ranveer Allahbadia on the recent episode of India’s Got Latent raise a bigger question—when does edgy humour cross the line into disrespect, and who’s responsible for setting that boundary? We try to understand.

India’s Got Latent (IGL) is making headlines, but not for reasons its creators would have hoped. The show, hosted by Samay Raina, featured a panel of well-known influencers, including YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Apoorva Mukhija, and stand-up comedian Jaspreet Singh in its recent episode. Known for its "edgy humor",  many viewers found the episode crossing a line which led to ongoing backlash. While the show is only accessible to paid members, clips from the episode started circulating online, drawing criticism for the crude language and explicit jokes used by the panelists. Many felt that the influencers were using "dark comedy" as an excuse for their downright inappropriate jokes. The backlash escalated when a formal complaint was filed against Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva Mukhija, Samay Raina, and the organizers of India’s Got Latent. 

The Mumbai police have started an investigation into the complaint that accuses these creators of making obscene remarks about women’s bodies and using offensive language purely for the sake of grabbing attention and making money. The complainant pointed out that the jokes were not just tasteless but also deeply disrespectful, especially considering that young audiences could have been exposed to them. The FIR suggests that the show’s makers knowingly allowed this content to be broadcast, making them equally responsible for the controversy.

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As criticism grew, Allahbadia posted a video on social media, apologizing for his joke and admitting that he had made a mistake. “I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s Got Latent. I’m sorry,” he said in the video. He went on to acknowledge that the joke wasn’t just inappropriate but also unfunny, admitting that 'comedy is not his forte' which resulted in his lapse in judgment. He further stressed that he had no intention of disrespecting families and had asked the show’s makers to remove the offensive parts from the episode. Soon after Allahbadia posted his apology, many pointed out how these responses have only become predictable without feeling genuine.

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A post shared by Ranveer Allahbadia (@beerbiceps)

Apoorva Mukhija has also found herself at the centre of the controversy facing backlash for her response to an inappropriate remark made by a contestant on the show. While the contestant’s remark directed at Apoorva was not only outright distasteful, and disrespectful, the creator should have chosen a better way to call out his bad humour. Instead, after her off-hand response the audience laughed off the moment without actually addressing the issue. Her reply wasn’t about shutting down the inappropriate remark but ended up becoming part of the joke. While many argue that she was merely replying to a disrespectful comment, her choice of words and the explicit nature of her response have raised concerns. The reason she was further scrutinized was because, unlike the contestant, Apoorva has a significant following which includes younger audiences who engage with her content. 

India’s Got Latent is not a live show where things are said in the heat of the moment. It’s a pre-recorded and edited program, suggesting that multiple people—guests, hosts, producers, and editors—review each episode before it is uploaded. This highlights how the reason any of the jokes made it to the final cut, wasn’t because of an accidental slip-up, but a conscious decision to keep it in. This has people questioning if the controversy wasn’t a mistake but a deliberate attempt to generate buzz. At a time when attention is valued and going viral is the ultimate goal, many believe that the show makers decided to benefit from the extra attention by putting something outrageous expecting backlash, so they can ultimately issue an apology to calm things down. Considering their massive reach and influence, creators are required to be more mindful of the kind of content they put out. They, along with shows like IGL need to understand the difference between edgy humour and outright disrespect while taking responsibility for their content. 

This entire controversy leads us to a larger, more pressing question—what are we even considering comedy these days? When something inappropriate continues to get engagement, when it gets laughed at and celebrated by large numbers, it inevitably starts to seem normal. It also raises conversations about creators' responsibility to recognize the weight of their words and actions. When someone with such reach chooses to react in an equally inappropriate manner, it may translate as acceptable, when in reality, it should be challenged more thoughtfully and responsibly. It’s one thing to try out something new in comedy; it’s another to completely disregard the impact of your words on an impressionable audience.

What are your thoughts on this whole controversy? Tell us in the comments below.

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