Tag: Samay Raina

‘Ranveer Must Reflect On The Gravity of His Words, Reconsider His Path’

By LokMarg

Smriti Jain, a Mumbai-based educator and a mother of two, shares her concerns at the obscene language used by standup comedians to garner instant popularity.

For the first time, I feel compelled to share my thoughts on something I recently encountered that left me deeply concerned. I am talking about the shocking remarks by popular YouTuber and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia and I feel it’s important to address them. I have occasionally watched his podcasts, especially when he has guests I admire.

I must admit here that whenever my children saw me watching his content, they would caution me, urging me not to subscribe or support his content. At that time, I dismissed their concerns, telling them not to judge people negatively. My views changed 1800 degree after hearing an unrefined question which he asked one of his show participants. As a parent I was both shocked and appalled. I could hardly believe my ears.

It is disheartening to witness how some people, driven by ego and arrogance, feel entitled to make such irresponsible, lewd statements. When someone’s sense of self-importance reaches the point of believing they own the world, it leads to behaviour that can be harmful to society. Ranveer is the same age as my son and I find it difficult to understand how he has achieved such success while holding such troubling views.

My hope is that this young man sincerely reflects on his actions, acknowledges his mistake, and reconsiders his path. It’s my belief that he should take time away from the public eye to truly understand the gravity of his words and actions. As a mother, I can only imagine the emotional toll this would have taken on his family, particularly his mother. I am genuinely curious about her perspective on this situation.

In my role as a school teacher, I often had the opportunity to engage with parents about their concerns. A question I heard repeatedly was, “Ma’am, how do I protect my child from the harmful effects of social media?” This concern is not isolated; it’s widespread. Given the influence social media personalities have over impressionable minds, I believe the government must take a firm stance on this issue.

ALSO READ: ‘Influencers Must Not Cross The Line, Audience Must Share The Blame’

Stronger regulations should be enforced to prevent the spread of harmful content, and we must demand greater accountability from social media influencers. Those who produce obscene material should face severe consequences, including fines and, in extreme cases, imprisonment.

Simply issuing an apology video, without real repercussions, is not enough. It would be injustice to the many families struggling to protect their children from this kind of content. The participants of shows like India’s Got Latent seem primarily concerned with their financial gain, but we must ask ourselves: What responsibility do we, as viewers, bear? What impact does our support have on our families, our nation, and ourselves?

To close, I’d like to leave you with a thought-provoking quote by Herman Melville: “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibres, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”

As told to Deepa Gupta

‘Influencers Must Not Cross The Line, But Audience Must Share Blame Too’

By LokMarg

Bengaluru-based Ashutosh Jindal, a stand-up comedy enthusiast, is pained by the genre’s decline and an increasing use of abusive language by popular content generators. His views:

I have never been a fan of cancel culture, but the recent controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina made me pause and reflect. In 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Allahbadia with the Disruptor of the Year award. He has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, built a digital empire with over 6 billion views across 12 YouTube channels, and interviewed some of the most influential personalities—from Bollywood stars to athletes and entrepreneurs. And yet, in one moment of “lapse in judgment,” he found himself at the center of a storm that exposed something far bigger than just one man’s mistake.

On comedian Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent, Ranveer posed an utterly inappropriate and disturbing question to a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?” The internet erupted. There was outrage, disgust, and sharp criticism. Soon after, Ranveer issued a public apology, admitting that his comment wasn’t just inappropriate. But the damage was done.

This brings me to a bigger question: Is someone in his position allowed to be so irresponsible? As a social media influencer with millions of followers, is there any room for “lapses in judgment” like this? And while we’re pointing fingers, shouldn’t we also be looking in the mirror? Because, it’s not just about Ranveer Allahbadia; it’s about all of us—the audience who fuels the demand for such content.

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This debate also reminds me of a statement made by singer Diljit Dosanjh. When criticized for singing about liquor, he retorted, “First, the government should ban liquor, then I will stop singing about it.” He had a point. The onus isn’t just on the creators but also on the system that allows and encourages such content. If problematic content thrives, it’s because there is a demand for it. If we want influencers to be responsible, we must also examine the societal structures that normalize and enable the very behavior we later condemn. The conversation cannot be one-sided. We all have a role to play in shaping the content we consume and, ultimately, the culture we create.

Social media influencers have an undeniable impact on people, especially the youth. They set trends, shape opinions, and sometimes even dictate moral standards. But what happens when entertainment crosses the line into tastelessness? Are we as an audience complicit in enabling it? The reality is, if content like this didn’t get views, it wouldn’t be made. It’s a classic case of demand and supply. If we stop consuming problematic content, its creators will be forced to pivot.

There’s another layer to this issue: regulation. Where do we draw the line between freedom of speech and social responsibility? While I am not advocating for censorship, there needs to be some form of accountability. Obnoxious, cringeworthy content being fed to millions—especially impressionable teenagers—cannot be brushed aside as mere entertainment. If left unchecked, such content contributes to the normalisation of offensive language, sexist remarks, and even problematic behaviour in real life. We can’t ignore the connection between what’s being glorified online and the broader societal consequences, including crimes against women and toxic masculinity.

This controversy is a perfect example of why influencers, no matter how big, need to be mindful of what they say. Not everything is funny. And fun cannot come at the cost of basic moral values. The lesson is simple: If you have influence, you also have responsibility. And if you’re part of the audience, you have the power. Use it wisely.

As told to Mamta Sharma