Raghu Ram Breaks Silence On ‘India’s Got Latent’ Controversy, Says ‘He Does Not Regret Being Part Of The Show’

February 15, 2025: Actor and TV personality Raghu Ram has addressed the recent controversy surrounding podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s comments on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show India’s Got Latent (IGL). Speaking out on his Instagram handle, Raghu clarified that while he does not regret his participation in the show, he expressed regret over some of the jokes that may have caused hurt to the audience.

Although Raghu did not specifically mention Ranveer’s name, he shared his thoughts on the backlash, stating, “I do not regret being part of IGL. I wish the show had not included some jokes that caused such hurt.” He acknowledged that the sensibilities of a paying audience in a live show might differ from the larger YouTube audience, adding that he might have kept some jokes out of the episode. However, he emphasized that it was up to the show’s creators to decide on the content, and he could not dictate what should or should not be included.

He further discussed the broader issue, saying, “Freedom of speech is meaningless without the freedom to offend. Offence is often taken even when none is intended.” Raghu also apologized, saying, “I am sorry if I have actually caused hurt to anyone,” acknowledging that while comedians push boundaries and speak truth to power, they do not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments.

Raghu made it clear that comedians are usually the first to apologize if their jokes cross a line and cause offense. He concluded by urging society to maintain perspective on the scale of the issue, noting that there are more pressing matters deserving of outrage.

The controversy erupted after a remark made by Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of India’s Got Latent sparked backlash. Allahbadia had asked a contestant, “Would you rather watch your parents… or join in once and stop it forever?” The comment was deemed inappropriate by many, leading to a formal complaint being filed against Allahbadia, social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, Samay Raina, and the show’s organizers.

In response to the growing criticism, Samay Raina posted a statement on Instagram Stories, revealing that he had removed all videos of the show from his channel and was cooperating fully with the authorities. He also clarified that his only intention was to entertain.

In the aftermath, the Maharashtra government ordered an inquiry into the controversy, tasking the cultural department to investigate complaints related to the show’s vulgarity and lack of proper permissions for audience ticketing.

With tensions rising, Raghu Ram’s statement reflects a careful approach to handling the situation while expressing regret over the unintended harm caused.