New Delhi: YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, or “BeerBiceps” as he is more popularly known, is facing flak for remarks he made on the popular talent hunt show “India’s Got Latent”. Episodes of the show are published on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube channel.
Complaints have been filed by two Mumbai lawyers and the vice president of Maharashtra BJP Uttar Bharatiya Morcha against Allahbadia, Raina, and content creators Ashish Chanchalani and Apoorva Mukhija along with the organisers of the show. No FIR has been lodged in the case so far. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Dikshit Gedam told ThePrint, “The inquiry is on. No FIR has been lodged yet. We are investigating the matter.”
The episode isn’t available on YouTube but the promo clips are viral on social media.
Massive online outrage followed after Allahbadia was seen in one such clip asking a contestant: “Would you rather witness your parents engaging in sexual activity every day or participate once to end it forever?”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking to the media, said he was aware the comments were “vulgar”.
“I have been informed about this, though I have not watched it yet. I came to know that it was very vulgar and this was wrong. Everyone has freedom of speech but this freedom ends when we encroach upon others’ freedom. Everyone has limits, if anyone crosses them, action will be taken,” Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai Monday.
Journalist and author Neelesh Misra too criticised the show and pointed out the show was not categorised as adult content on YouTube.
“This content is not designated as adult content—it can be seen with ease even by a child if the algorithm takes him or her there. The creators or the platform have zero sense of responsibility. I am also not surprised at all that four people at the desk—and lots in the audience—celebrated this and had a great laugh,” Mishra said in a post on X.
Those adding to the backlash also included Congress leader Supriya Shrinate who termed Allahbadia’s remark as “perverted”.
“This isn’t creative. It’s perverted. And we can’t normalise perverse behaviour as cool. The fact that this sick comment met loud applause must worry us all,” she said. Allahbadia, who has over 50 lakh followers, and is famous for his podcast with celebrities, last year received the “Disruptor of the Year” award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the National Creators Award.
“For TRP they can’t sell nudity, abusive and objectionable stuff which isn’t Indian culture,” reads the complaint by Nilotpal Mrinal Pandey, vice president of Maharashtra BJP Uttar Bhartiya Morcha.
Meanwhile, Allahbadia Monday put out a video statement on X saying, “I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s Got Latent.”
“My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I’m sorry… I won’t be giving any justification just that I am sorry. Family is the last thing that I would respect… I have asked the makers to remove the insensitive sections from the video,” he said.
I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s got latent. I’m sorry. pic.twitter.com/BaLEx5J0kd
— Ranveer Allahbadia (@BeerBicepsGuy) February 10, 2025
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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