Comedian and actor Vir Das has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, a show featuring Samay Raina as the host and Ranveer Allahbadia, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, and Ashish Chanchlani as guest judges. The show has come under fire due to controversial remarks made on its platform.
The uproar began when Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, posed an inappropriate question to a female contestant during a roast segment. He asked, “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?”
The remark sparked widespread criticism, leading to complaints from multiple MPs. As a result, a Parliamentary panel on information technology is considering summoning Ranveer Allahbadia for questioning.
Reacting to the controversy, Vir Das shared his views on the role of comedians and the media. “The audience is always welcome to debate what good comedy is,” he wrote. “A good artist takes feedback, stays silent, and evolves. The consequences of comedy are instant—it impacts both the career and the audience.”
However, he also turned his attention to mainstream media, accusing traditional news outlets of exploiting the controversy to undermine digital platforms. “We’re watching a group of irrelevant, near-extinct mainstream media anchors unite to attack new media, which gets millions more views, hosts longer interviews, and has a greater impact—at a fraction of their bloated costs,” he stated.
Urging people to reflect on journalism standards, he added, “While they debate what good comedy is, they should also question what good journalism is—the news they should be covering and the questions they should be asking.”
NCW Summons Show Creators and Hosts
Amid the backlash, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Makhija, Jaspreet Singh, Ashish Chanchlani, and the show’s producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra.
The NCW strongly condemned the remarks, calling them “vulgar and offensive” and stating they violate the principles of dignity and respect. A hearing is scheduled for February 17, and all summoned individuals have been instructed to appear in person at the NCW office in New Delhi at 12 PM.
