- Saturday, March 01, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Indian standup comedy is facing yet another controversy, this time involving popular comedians Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as Beer Biceps. The uproar stems from statements made on Raina’s show India’s Got Latent, which have sparked debates within the comedy circuit and beyond. While several comics have weighed in, many were waiting for Tanmay Bhat—one of the pioneers of modern Indian standup—to break his silence.
Tanmay Bhat, a prominent figure in India’s standup scene and a mentor to Samay Raina, had largely remained silent on the issue. Given his own history with controversy, his stance was keenly anticipated. During a recent episode of his weekly reaction show on YouTube, a fan questioned his silence: “How come these people are not taking a stand for everything that’s happening?”
Rohan Joshi, a core member of AIB and a longtime collaborator of Bhat, responded sharply, saying, “We are literally here doing our job. What more stand do you need?” Meanwhile, comedian Kaustubh Agarwal pointed out that Bhat’s opinion was sought because of his mentorship of Samay Raina.
Adding humor to the conversation, comedian Piyush Sharma referenced a famous line from Shah Rukh Khan’s recent blockbuster Jawan, saying, “They are expecting ki Tanmay bolega ki ‘Bete se pehle baap ke through jaana hoga’ (you have to go through the father to mess with the son).”
Despite initially staying away from the discourse, Bhat eventually delivered a punchline in his signature style. He acknowledged that controversy and standup comedy in India have always gone hand in hand, and his own past proves it.
“Whenever someone in your family falls sick, especially with a rather rare illness that no one has had before, you always remember this one uncle who had the same condition seven years ago. You call him and ask about what should be done next. Well… I am comedy’s patient zero,” he quipped.
His response was a clear reference to the 2015 AIB Roast controversy, which put him and his comedy collective, AIB, under fire for their no-holds-barred humor. Featuring Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, and Karan Johar, the roast led to legal trouble and backlash, ultimately leading to AIB’s downfall.
This latest controversy involving India’s Got Latent has once again highlighted the fine line between comedy and offense in India. While some argue that comedians should have the freedom to express themselves, others believe that certain boundaries should not be crossed.
Tanmay Bhat’s response—although humorous—reminds audiences of the cyclical nature of controversies in Indian comedy. With standup still evolving in India, it remains to be seen whether this latest uproar will fade away or spark broader discussions on the future of comedy in the country.
