Imagine being a comedian who lives to make people laugh, only to find yourself caught in a whirlwind of anger and legal trouble. That’s where Samay Raina is right now. The popular YouTuber and stand-up star is “depressed, scared, and a broken man,” according to his close friend Shwetabh Gangwar, who opened up about Raina’s tough times on Tuesday. This all stems from a messy controversy over Raina’s show India’s Got Latent, and it’s hitting him hard—both inside and out.
How It All Started
The trouble kicked off back in January 2024 with an episode of India’s Got Latent, a quirky talent show Raina hosted on YouTube. Things took a wild turn when guest Ranveer Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps, asked a contestant a jaw-dropping question: “Would you rather watch your parents have s”x every day for the rest of your life, or join in once to stop it forever?” It was meant as a dark joke, but it didn’t land well. The clip went viral, and people weren’t laughing—they were furious. Social media lit up with outrage, calling it crude and disrespectful. Before long, multiple police complaints—FIRs—were filed against Raina, Allahbadia, and other panelists like Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Mukhija, accusing them of spreading vulgarity.
Raina tried to calm the storm by deleting all episodes of the show from his channel and posting a short note: “Everything that’s happening has been too much for me to handle. My only goal was to make people laugh.” But the backlash kept coming, and now it’s more than just online hate—it’s a legal fight too.
A Friend’s Worried Words
Shwetabh Gangwar, a YouTuber and Raina’s buddy, couldn’t stay quiet anymore. In a video he later took down, Gangwar shared what he’s seen. “I talked to Samay recently,” he said, “and oh man, he’s a broken guy. When this mess first blew up, I could still see the old Samay—the funny, fearless one. But the last time we spoke, I saw someone else: depressed, sad, scared.” Gangwar’s voice was heavy as he added, “He’s not sleeping or eating right. He’s terrified about what’s next—jail, losing his career, all of it.”
Gangwar didn’t stop there. He said he stepped back from social media because watching his friend crumble was too much. “I felt helpless,” he admitted. “I couldn’t do anything to pull him out of this.” He also mentioned that Allahbadia, Mukhija, and Chanchlani are wrestling with their own struggles from this fallout. It’s like the whole crew’s been knocked down by one bad moment.
Legal Heat Turns Up
The drama’s not just online—it’s in the courts now. Raina’s been summoned by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell to explain himself, but he’s currently in Canada for his comedy tour, Samay Raina Unfiltered. He’s asked for time until March 17 to return and face the music. Things got spicier on Monday when the Supreme Court jumped in. During a hearing about Allahbadia’s podcast ban, Justice Surya Kant took a swipe at Raina without naming him: “One of them went to Canada and talked about all this. These youngsters think we’re old-fashioned, but we know how to handle them. Behave, or else.” Raina had cracked a joke at his show, saying, “Thanks for paying my lawyer’s fees,” and the court wasn’t amused.
A Comic’s Life Unravels
This isn’t the Samay Raina fans know—the guy who won Comicstaan Season 2 and built a massive following with his edgy humor. He’s canceled shows, gone quiet on social media, and pulled back from the spotlight. A fan at his Canada gig, Shubham Dutta, wrote on Facebook: “I saw a 25-year-old weighed down by pressure—dark circles, messy hair, a tired face. He walked out in a dusty hoodie and said, ‘Thanks for paying my lawyer’s fees.’ It wasn’t the same Samay.”
Gangwar believes Raina can bounce back—he’s tough, after all—but right now, he’s hurting. The comedian’s team says he’s looking into therapy to cope, while his family urges him to take a breather.
What’s Next?
As Raina trudges through this mess, people are split. Some fans defend him, saying comedy should push limits. Others think he crossed a line and deserves the heat. This row’s also got folks debating bigger stuff—like where free speech ends and responsibility begins in India’s digital world. For now, Raina’s a man caught between his art and the storm it’s stirred. Will he find his funny again? Only time—and maybe a quieter courtroom—will tell.
