Popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia has been facing severe criticism following his controversial remarks on comedian Samay Raina’s stand-up comedy show, India’s Got Latent. Amid the backlash, a video of him breaking down on camera has gone viral, with many falsely claiming that he is expressing remorse over the controversy.
In the circulating video, Ranveer can be seen in tears, saying, “Mujhe isiliye bura lag raha hai kyunki sab kaam bandh ho gaya bh**od… I just feel I am guilty, puri team ko isse expose kar diya, aur meri wajah se pura kaam bandh ho gaya.” The clip has led many to speculate that he is overwhelmed by the criticism and legal scrutiny.
However, fact-checks have confirmed that the viral video is actually from April 2021, when Ranveer had tested positive for COVID-19 and was speaking about its impact on his work and team. The segment mentioning COVID-19 was edited out, making it appear as if he was reacting to the recent controversy.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Cyber Police have booked Ranveer, along with Samay Raina and 30 others associated with India’s Got Latent, under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act for alleged use of “obscene and foul language” on the show. The FIR includes names of hosts, judges, participants, and other artists involved, with Assam police also registering a case regarding the incident.
In response to the controversy, Ranveer has issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging his misstep and expressing regret for his remarks.
Earlier on Wednesday, Samay also took to his Instagram Stories and Twitter to share a statement, stating that he has removed all videos of the show from his channel and is “fully cooperating” with the authorities. He also added that his only intention was to entertain people.
While many celebrities like Rajpal Yadav, Boney Kapoor, Ashoke Pandit, Raza Murad, and Mika Singh have condemned Ranveer’s remarks and Samay’s show, others like Rakhi Sawant, Heeramandi writer Snehiil Dixit Mehraa, and actor-comedian Vir Das have urged forgiveness, asking that Ranveer and Samay be given a chance to rectify their mistakes.
