Home / Celebrity-life / Newsmakers / Photos / Pranit More to Samay Raina, stand-up comedians who courted controversies

Pranit More to Samay Raina, stand-up comedians who courted controversies

Updated On: 10 June, 2026 01:34 PM IST | Shruti Sampat

Comedy has increasingly become a flashpoint in India, with stand-up comics facing lawsuits, arrests, political backlash, online outrage, and threats over their jokes. Here is a detailed look at some of the most talked-about controversies involving Indian comedians

01
Samay Raina and Pranit More (Pictures via Instagram)
Samay Raina and Pranit More (Pictures via Instagram)
02
Aditi Mittal faced controversy in 2018 after fellow comedian Kaneez Surka accused her of forcibly kissing her during an event. The allegation emerged during India's MeToo movement and sparked widespread debate within the comedy community. Mittal apologized publicly, stating that she had not intended to make Surka uncomfortable. The controversy led to broader conversations about consent and workplace behavior in the entertainment industry.

Aditi Mittal faced controversy in 2018 after fellow comedian Kaneez Surka accused her of forcibly kissing her during an event. The allegation emerged during India's MeToo movement and sparked widespread debate within the comedy community. Mittal apologized publicly, stating that she had not intended to make Surka uncomfortable. The controversy led to broader conversations about consent and workplace behavior in the entertainment industry.

03
Anirban Dasgupta drew criticism and threats after comments made during a comedy set about freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Supporters of Bose objected to the remarks and accused the comedian of disrespecting a national icon. The incident sparked discussions on whether historical figures should remain off-limits in comedy and where the line between satire and disrespect should be drawn.

Anirban Dasgupta drew criticism and threats after comments made during a comedy set about freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Supporters of Bose objected to the remarks and accused the comedian of disrespecting a national icon. The incident sparked discussions on whether historical figures should remain off-limits in comedy and where the line between satire and disrespect should be drawn.

04
One of India's most politically outspoken comedians, Kunal Kamra has repeatedly courted controversy through his satirical takes on politicians, journalists, and public institutions. In 2020, he was banned by several airlines after confronting journalist Arnab Goswami on a flight. He later faced contempt proceedings over tweets criticizing the judiciary. More recently, his political jokes targeting Maharashtra leaders sparked protests, police complaints, and heated debates about free speech and political satire. Kamra has consistently maintained that satire should challenge those in power and has refused to apologize for many of his remarks.

One of India's most politically outspoken comedians, Kunal Kamra has repeatedly courted controversy through his satirical takes on politicians, journalists, and public institutions. In 2020, he was banned by several airlines after confronting journalist Arnab Goswami on a flight. He later faced contempt proceedings over tweets criticizing the judiciary. More recently, his political jokes targeting Maharashtra leaders sparked protests, police complaints, and heated debates about free speech and political satire. Kamra has consistently maintained that satire should challenge those in power and has refused to apologize for many of his remarks.

05
Pranit More became the focus of controversy after a clip from a show at Gurugram's comedy circuit went viral. The discussion centered on audience interactions and comments involving women, leading to accusations of misogyny and insensitivity. The incident triggered intense conversations on social media about the culture of crowd work in stand-up comedy and whether comedians should be held accountable for comments made during improvised interactions with audiences.

Pranit More became the focus of controversy after a clip from a show at Gurugram's comedy circuit went viral. The discussion centered on audience interactions and comments involving women, leading to accusations of misogyny and insensitivity. The incident triggered intense conversations on social media about the culture of crowd work in stand-up comedy and whether comedians should be held accountable for comments made during improvised interactions with audiences.

06
Kapil Sharma's controversies have generally stemmed from off-stage incidents rather than stand-up material. In 2018, he made headlines after an abusive phone conversation with a journalist was leaked online. He also filed complaints alleging extortion and conspiracy. While not directly related to a joke, the incident affected his public image and became one of the most discussed controversies of his career. Sharma has also faced criticism at various points for jokes on television that some viewers considered sexist or insensitive.

Kapil Sharma's controversies have generally stemmed from off-stage incidents rather than stand-up material. In 2018, he made headlines after an abusive phone conversation with a journalist was leaked online. He also filed complaints alleging extortion and conspiracy. While not directly related to a joke, the incident affected his public image and became one of the most discussed controversies of his career. Sharma has also faced criticism at various points for jokes on television that some viewers considered sexist or insensitive.

07
Known for blending stand-up with digital entertainment, Samay Raina landed in the biggest controversy of his career through the YouTube show India's Got Latent. Several episodes attracted criticism for allegedly offensive and vulgar content. The backlash intensified after controversial remarks made by guests on the show went viral, leading to multiple FIRs, legal scrutiny, and widespread public debate about the limits of comedy on digital platforms. The controversy brought renewed attention to censorship, creator responsibility, and online entertainment standards in India.

Known for blending stand-up with digital entertainment, Samay Raina landed in the biggest controversy of his career through the YouTube show India's Got Latent. Several episodes attracted criticism for allegedly offensive and vulgar content. The backlash intensified after controversial remarks made by guests on the show went viral, leading to multiple FIRs, legal scrutiny, and widespread public debate about the limits of comedy on digital platforms. The controversy brought renewed attention to censorship, creator responsibility, and online entertainment standards in India.

08
Munawar Faruqui became a national headline in January 2021 when he was arrested in Indore over allegations that his comedy act hurt religious sentiments. Notably, the arrest took place before the disputed jokes were even performed. He spent several weeks in jail before securing bail. Following the incident, many of his scheduled shows across India were cancelled due to protests and security concerns. The episode became a major flashpoint in discussions around artistic freedom, preventive censorship, and the criminalization of comedy.

Munawar Faruqui became a national headline in January 2021 when he was arrested in Indore over allegations that his comedy act hurt religious sentiments. Notably, the arrest took place before the disputed jokes were even performed. He spent several weeks in jail before securing bail. Following the incident, many of his scheduled shows across India were cancelled due to protests and security concerns. The episode became a major flashpoint in discussions around artistic freedom, preventive censorship, and the criminalization of comedy.

09
Popularly known as BeerBiceps, Ranveer Allahbadia became embroiled in the India's Got Latent controversy after appearing on the show. His comments during an episode drew widespread criticism online, resulting in police complaints and legal scrutiny. While Allahbadia is primarily a podcaster and influencer rather than a stand-up comic, his involvement significantly amplified the controversy and brought mainstream attention to the debate over digital comedy content.

Popularly known as BeerBiceps, Ranveer Allahbadia became embroiled in the India's Got Latent controversy after appearing on the show. His comments during an episode drew widespread criticism online, resulting in police complaints and legal scrutiny. While Allahbadia is primarily a podcaster and influencer rather than a stand-up comic, his involvement significantly amplified the controversy and brought mainstream attention to the debate over digital comedy content.

10
Agrima Joshua faced severe backlash in 2020 after a clip from an older stand-up routine resurfaced online. The joke referenced plans for a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The clip triggered outrage among several groups in Maharashtra, leading to threats, online harassment, and demands for action against her. Joshua eventually removed the video and issued an apology, but the controversy highlighted the risks comedians face when joking about historical figures and cultural icons.

Agrima Joshua faced severe backlash in 2020 after a clip from an older stand-up routine resurfaced online. The joke referenced plans for a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The clip triggered outrage among several groups in Maharashtra, leading to threats, online harassment, and demands for action against her. Joshua eventually removed the video and issued an apology, but the controversy highlighted the risks comedians face when joking about historical figures and cultural icons.

11
Writer, lyricist, and comedian Varun Grover has frequently found himself at the center of political debates because of his outspoken views and satirical commentary. While he has not faced an arrest or major criminal case comparable to some others on this list, his performances and public statements have often attracted criticism from political groups. Grover has become a prominent voice in discussions around artistic freedom and the role of comedians in political commentary.

Writer, lyricist, and comedian Varun Grover has frequently found himself at the center of political debates because of his outspoken views and satirical commentary. While he has not faced an arrest or major criminal case comparable to some others on this list, his performances and public statements have often attracted criticism from political groups. Grover has become a prominent voice in discussions around artistic freedom and the role of comedians in political commentary.

12
In 2016, Tanmay Bhat sparked massive controversy after posting a Snapchat-style video in which he used face filters to mimic legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. The clip drew criticism from politicians and fans who considered it disrespectful. Police complaints were filed, while supporters defended it as satire, reigniting debates about free speech, comedy, and celebrity parody in India. He was also mired in the AIB controversy over disrespectful comments and obscene discussion in the panel.

In 2016, Tanmay Bhat sparked massive controversy after posting a Snapchat-style video in which he used face filters to mimic legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. The clip drew criticism from politicians and fans who considered it disrespectful. Police complaints were filed, while supporters defended it as satire, reigniting debates about free speech, comedy, and celebrity parody in India. He was also mired in the AIB controversy over disrespectful comments and obscene discussion in the panel.

13
Vir Das sparked an international debate after performing his "Two Indias" monologue at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2021. The performance contrasted India's achievements with its social challenges and quickly went viral. While many praised it as a thoughtful critique, others accused Das of portraying India negatively on a global stage. Multiple police complaints were filed against him, and political leaders weighed in on the controversy. The incident remains one of the most discussed examples of comedy intersecting with nationalism and public discourse.

Vir Das sparked an international debate after performing his "Two Indias" monologue at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2021. The performance contrasted India's achievements with its social challenges and quickly went viral. While many praised it as a thoughtful critique, others accused Das of portraying India negatively on a global stage. Multiple police complaints were filed against him, and political leaders weighed in on the controversy. The incident remains one of the most discussed examples of comedy intersecting with nationalism and public discourse.

14
Yash Bhardwaj attracted controversy over social media content and stand-up material that critics claimed crossed the line into offensive territory. Discussions around his jokes gained traction online, with supporters defending the content as satire while detractors argued it promoted harmful stereotypes. His case reflects the broader challenge comedians face in navigating increasingly polarized digital audiences.

Yash Bhardwaj attracted controversy over social media content and stand-up material that critics claimed crossed the line into offensive territory. Discussions around his jokes gained traction online, with supporters defending the content as satire while detractors argued it promoted harmful stereotypes. His case reflects the broader challenge comedians face in navigating increasingly polarized digital audiences.

Recommended Photos

Next Gallery

Photo of Day

Catch the sunset

Catch the sunset

A fisherman catches fish as the sun goes down along Juhu Beach`s shallow waters. Pic/Satej Shinde