Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent faces fresh controversy

Samay Raina’s controversial comedy show India’s Got Latent is facing fresh scrutiny after a complaint was filed against casting director Mukesh Chhabra and Netflix India over allegedly inappropriate language used during an episode.

The complaint was filed by Anurag Shrivastav, who claimed that he came across an episode featuring actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, YouTuber Bhuvan Bam, casting director Mukesh Chhabra and Kaustubh Agarwal while watching the show on Netflix on September 22.

According to the complaint, Shrivastav found certain remarks made during the episode objectionable and inappropriate. He specifically alleged that Chhabra used sexually suggestive language while making a remark during the programme.

The complaint quotes the alleged statement as, “Mere Aaram Nagar mein aao, g**** *****,” and describes the language as highly inappropriate, objectionable and sexually suggestive.

However, the complaint also acknowledges that the authenticity and context of the alleged statement, along with its exact timestamp, still need to be verified by reviewing the original recording of the episode.

Shri ASTA has argued that if the statement is confirmed, it could raise concerns about the type of language being made available to viewers through an online streaming platform.

The complaint further highlights concerns surrounding viewer dignity and child safety online, particularly because streaming platforms can be accessed by audiences of different age groups.

It has also called for an investigation into Netflix India’s role in allowing the alleged content to remain available on its platform. The complaint specifically seeks scrutiny of Netflix India content chief Monika Shergill’s involvement in relation to the episode and its availability to viewers.

The latest controversy comes months after India’s Got Latent faced intense public backlash over another episode that triggered widespread criticism across social media.

The show became one of the most talked-about controversies in February 2025 after podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia appeared as a guest on the programme. During the episode, Allahbadia asked a contestant an explicit question involving their parents and sex.

The question quickly sparked outrage, with many viewers describing it as inappropriate and morally objectionable. The controversy soon expanded beyond social media discussions, with multiple complaints and legal cases reportedly being filed against Allahbadia, Raina and other individuals associated with the episode.

The backlash also brought increased attention to the nature of the humour and conversations featured on India’s Got Latent. The programme had developed a large following for its uncensored comedy, audience participation and provocative conversations, but the controversy led to serious scrutiny of its content.

Following the uproar, Raina removed the existing episodes of the show from YouTube. The decision came as criticism continued to grow and authorities examined complaints connected to the controversial episode.

The programme’s format had already made it a popular destination for viewers seeking unconventional and unfiltered comedy. However, its previous controversy also highlighted the challenges faced by digital creators and streaming platforms when content includes explicit jokes, offensive language or sensitive subjects.

The latest complaint against Chhabra and Netflix India has once again placed the show under the spotlight. At this stage, the allegations concerning Chhabra’s reported remark remain subject to verification, including confirmation of the exact wording, context and timing of the statement in the original episode.

Any further action will depend on the outcome of the examination of the episode and the allegations raised in the complaint.