Magicpin, the food delivery platform, has taken a public dig at YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia and comedian Samay Raina following the controversy surrounding their online show, “India’s Got Latent”. The show, which featured Allahbadia as a guest, has sparked an intense backlash over alleged obscene jokes, leading to legal action and widespread criticism.
Magicpin’s Advertising Jab
Magicpin, a food delivery service that describes itself as “India’s third-largest food delivery app,” unveiled a billboard that subtly mocks the show and its panellists. The ad reads, “India’s Lost Talent. Comedy ki limit honi chahiye par discounts ki nahi (There should be a limit to comedy, but not to discounts).” The design includes cartoon-like characters resembling the show’s panellists laughing at the bottom.
Can we get back the magic in comedy??#Standupcomedy #India pic.twitter.com/PcYg0KsSjz
— magicpin (@mymagicpin) February 11, 2025
The company further amplified the message by sharing an image of the ad on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Can we get back the magic in comedy?” accompanied by hashtags related to stand-up comedy in India. The post quickly gained traction online, with many social media users engaging in discussions about the controversy.
YouTube Takes Action, FIR Filed
As the backlash against “India’s Got Latent” intensified, YouTube removed the controversial episode featuring Allahbadia and Raina. The decision came in response to complaints regarding explicit content and offensive remarks made during the show.
Legal trouble soon followed. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that an FIR had been lodged in Guwahati against Allahbadia, comedian Samay Raina, social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, and several others. The case accuses them of promoting obscene content and engaging in sexually explicit discussions.
“The FIR has been registered against Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and others for promoting vulgar content,” Sarma stated. The controversy has also prompted complaints with the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Women’s Commission, with petitioners demanding strict action against those responsible.
Political Reactions & Allahbadia’s Apology
The controversy has drawn reactions from political leaders across the spectrum. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the issue, noting that while he had not personally seen the contentious clip, it was important to uphold decorum while exercising freedom of speech.
Amid mounting criticism, Allahbadia — popularly known as “BeerBiceps” — issued a public apology. In a video statement shared on X, he admitted his mistake and expressed regret over his remarks.
“My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry,” Allahbadia said. “Many of you asked if this is how I wish to use my platform… Family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect. Need to use this platform better, and that’s been my learning from this whole experience. I promise to just get better… I hope you can forgive me as a human being.”
With the controversy still unfolding, it remains to be seen how the involved parties, including Allahbadia and Raina, will navigate the growing backlash and legal proceedings.
