Ranveer Allahbadia Under Scrutiny as Maharashtra Government Probes Controversial Remarks

Mumbai, 15th February 2025: Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia continues to face mounting troubles as the Maharashtra government initiates an inquiry into his controversial remarks on comedian Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent.

The cultural department, under Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar, ordered the investigation following multiple complaints regarding alleged vulgarity on India’s Got Latent and other shows operating without necessary approvals. During a departmental meeting chaired by Shelar, a decision was made to conduct a thorough probe.

The controversy erupted after a clip from India’s Got Latent went viral, showing Allahbadia making a shocking remark about “parental sex.” In the video, he posed an unsettling question to a contestant: “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 clip sparked outrage online, with many condemning it as insensitive and offensive.

According to Shelar’s office, the cultural department has received several complaints about vulgar content in India’s Got Latent, as well as concerns that other such shows are being held with ticketed audiences without proper authorization.

Meanwhile, producer-actor Raghu Ram, who appeared as a panellist in one of the episodes, appeared before the Maharashtra Cyber Cell on Thursday to record his statement. He had participated as a judge in the show’s tenth episode.

Sources revealed to NDTV that Ram informed investigators that Samay Raina should have edited out the offensive language used in the show. He also admitted to regretting his use of abusive language during his appearance.

Famous for his role in Roadies, Ram reportedly told authorities that he got carried away at the moment, using expletives unintentionally, and did not mean to offend anyone. He is among 50 individuals summoned to provide statements. Additionally, Mumbai Police have questioned eight others, including Mukhija, Chanchalani, Allahbadia’s manager, and the show’s video editor.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Ram defended his participation in India’s Got Latent but acknowledged that some jokes in the show should not have been included. However, he maintained that it was not his place to dictate content choices to Raina or the show’s creators.

“Comedians push boundaries, challenge societal norms, and speak truth to power while entertaining. But no comedian deliberately sets out to offend. If they do, they would be the first to apologize. I hope society puts this issue into perspective, considering other concerns that deserve greater outrage,” Ram stated.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Allahbadia moved the Supreme Court, seeking relief from multiple FIRs lodged against him across different states over his remarks on India’s Got Latent. Through his lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud, he filed a petition requesting the consolidation of all FIRs and sought protection from coercive action, particularly from the Guwahati Police, who have already summoned him and others involved in the show.

The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has already registered an FIR against over 30 individuals linked to the YouTube show, issuing notices to all accused. In addition, the Guwahati Police have booked Samay Raina, and all show judges, including Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija, under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The Mumbai Police confirmed on Friday that Allahbadia has been untraceable after skipping his second summons for questioning at Khar Police Station. His phone remains switched off, and his residence is locked. Notably, Allahbadia has already issued an apology for his remarks.