Months after publicly criticizing each other, comedian Samay Raina and Mukesh Khanna, best known for playing Shaktimaan, have come together for a new commercial. The unexpected collaboration has caught fans by surprise and sparked mixed reactions across social media.
Many users did not expect the two to share screen space after their heated exchange earlier this year. While some welcomed the collaboration as a sign of moving on, others questioned why Mukesh Khanna chose to work with Samay after strongly criticizing him in the past.
How the Controversy Started
The disagreement began in April during the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent.
At the time, Mukesh Khanna had criticized Samay Raina over the show’s content and expressed concern about its impact on young viewers.
Samay later responded during one of his performances. Referring to Mukesh as Shaktimaan, he joked, “Shaktimaan aa gaya tha uss time. Shaktimaan se kaise ladenge bhai. He said baccho ka kaisa hoga aise content dekhke.”
He also made another joke by saying, “Shaktimaan has killed children ‘fak-fak-fak karke’. How are you taking the moral high ground?”
The remarks quickly went viral and became one of the most talked-about moments on social media.
Mukesh Khanna’s Strong Response
Mukesh Khanna reacted strongly to Samay’s comments through an Instagram post.
Using a Hindi proverb, he compared Samay to a crooked dog’s tail that cannot be straightened despite repeated efforts. He further accused the comedian of refusing to change despite facing criticism from people across the country.
Mukesh also said that Samay deserved to be publicly paraded on a donkey with his face blackened for insulting Shaktimaan, a character loved by generations of children.
His response generated widespread discussion and added fuel to the ongoing debate.
Unexpected Reunion Leaves Internet Divided
Despite the bitter exchange, the two have now appeared together in a commercial.
The collaboration surprised many users because of the strong statements both had made against each other only a few months ago.
As a result, social media was flooded with reactions.
One user wrote, “Shaktimaan bhi bik gaya.”
Another commented, “Latent par bulao, Shaktimaan and Sunil Pal together.”
Several others viewed the collaboration more positively.
Comments such as “Another year of unexpected collabs,” “Hahaha, collab no one imagined,” and “The fact that he turned all his enemies into friends is something really remarkable” quickly gained attention.
Meanwhile, another user joked, “Bro skipped the apology arc and went straight to the ad revenue arc.”
Fans Continue to Debate the Collaboration
The commercial has triggered fresh conversations online. Some believe both personalities have chosen to move forward professionally despite their past differences.
However, others feel the partnership contradicts Mukesh Khanna’s earlier criticism and strong public statements against Samay.
Even so, the advertisement has become one of the most discussed celebrity collaborations in recent days.
India’s Got Latent Returns
Meanwhile, India’s Got Latent 2 has premiered its first episode on Netflix.
The opening episode features Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as panellists, bringing fresh attention back to the show that had earlier found itself at the centre of controversy.
With the show’s return and the surprising advertisement featuring Samay Raina and Mukesh Khanna, discussions around both personalities continue to dominate social media.