Comedian Tanmay Bhat has finally addressed the controversy surrounding fellow comic Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent. Tanmay, often seen as a mentor to Samay, weighed in after YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s controversial joke on the show led to legal trouble and public backlash.
Tanmay’s Response to the Controversy
Tanmay regularly shares reaction videos on his YouTube channel, where he responds to trending memes and fan queries. In a recent video, a fan questioned why he had not spoken up in support of Samay and Ranveer. Addressing the issue, Tanmay responded, “Why is it always expected that I take a stand for everything?”
Rohan Joshi, his former AIB colleague, also weighed in, adding, “We are literally here doing our jobs. What more do you expect?” Another comedian, Kaustubh, joked about Tanmay’s perceived mentorship role to Samay, quipping, “They’re saying it to you because you were his godfather.”
Panelist Piyush Sharma chimed in with a playful reference to Jawan, saying, “They expect Tanmay to declare, ‘To mess with the son, you must go through the father first.’”
Reflecting on Past Controversies
Tanmay also reflected on his own past experiences with backlash, recalling the uproar following the infamous AIB Roast of Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor in 2015. Comparing the situation to a recurring illness in a family, he said, “Whenever someone in your family has a rare disease, you remember an uncle who had it seven years ago and ask for advice. I am comedy’s patient zero.”
What Led to the ‘India’s Got Latent’ Controversy?
India’s Got Latent, a YouTube show created by Samay Raina, features contestants showcasing their talents while a panel of comedians, actors, and content creators serves as judges. The controversy erupted when guest judge Ranveer Allahbadia posed an inappropriate question to a fan, asking them to choose between ‘watching their parents have sex or joining them.’
The remark triggered a wave of outrage, leading to multiple FIRs filed against both Ranveer and Samay for alleged obscenity. In response, Samay removed all episodes of the show from his channel, attempting to mitigate the backlash.
Despite the controversy, Tanmay has maintained a lighthearted stance, indicating that he has no plans to get deeply involved in the debate.
