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Ranveer Allahabadia’s (Beer Biceps) controversial question on “India’s Got Latent” show have led to a massive uproar across social media. The backlash has been severe – he has received death threats, multiple FIRs have been registered and even his mother’s clinic was invaded.
This incident must serve a wake-up call for both established and aspiring YouTubers. Social media influencer is a high-risk profession with limited job security. In a country like India, it is imperative for YouTubers to be politically correct and morally responsible in their content.
The outrage was so intense that all the episodes of Samay Raina’s show “India’s Got Latent” have been taken down, leaving jobs associated with the show in jeopardy. For Ranveer, the credibility built over the years stands eroded. His brand deals will likely disappear and celebrities would refrain from appearing on his podcast anytime soon.
Public perception is foremost
In the world of social media, public perception is paramount. Once the public sentiment turns against you, expect scrutiny from police, judiciary and politicians. Any political backing gained from popularity gets dissipated.
Ranveer was awarded “Disruptor of the Year” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024. His podcast featured celebrities, businessmen and politicians like Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani, and S. Jaishankar. Yet, in the face of controversy, he finds himself isolated, facing public wrath and humiliation.
Higher the popularity, Higher the Risk
Ranveer is not the first Indian to ask this controversial question. In 2015, Kanan Gill had asked the same question to Jacky Bhagnani and Lauren Gottlieb while promoting their film “Welcome to Karachi”. More recently, the question was also raised on the episode of OG Crew’s “Truth or Drink”.
After seeing these old videos, netizens have argued that this has been blown out of proportions. One user remarked, “Well 2015 us were more chill than 2025 us,” while another user noted, “Audience were not so vanilla back then.”
So why Ranveer was attacked and not others? The answer is simple, he is far more famous influencer. Moreover, “India’s Got Latent” show with its immense popularity, gained over last few months was already under scanner for its edgy jokes.
Follow this career path with caution
Ranveer’s followers have been on decline since his remarks, whereas Samay Raina had to took down all content from “India’s Got Latent”. From being celebrated content creators of the country, they now find themselves under scrutiny from executive, judiciary, and media. Such is the precarious nature of being social media influencer in India.
This episode has shaken the content creator community, leaving many anxious about what they can or cannot say on their channels. With millions of Indians consuming YouTube content daily, the platform musts now be regarded as “National Television”.
Aspiring YouTubers must recognize the risks of this career path. Building a channel, gaining followers, and establishing credibility takes years. However, a few seconds of insensitive or ill-judged remarks, whether intentional or not, can inflict irreparable damage, strain personal relationships, impact family members, and result in costly legal battles.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.