Influencer Ranveer Allahbadia faces backlash over controversial remarks
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, opposition leaders, and social media users criticise Allahbadia; Mumbai Police launch probe after multiple complaints
Popular YouTuber and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, widely known as ‘BeerBiceps,’ has landed in controversy over an inappropriate remark made on comedian Samay Raina’s reality show India’s Got Latent. The comment, widely condemned as obscene and distasteful, has led to political backlash, police complaints, and calls for a boycott of his content. Amid mounting criticism, Allahbadia issued a public apology, admitting his mistake and promising to be more responsible with his platform.
The Controversial Remark and Online Outrage
Ranveer Allahbadia, who has over 10.5 million subscribers on YouTube and millions of followers across other social media platforms, became a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) after his controversial statement on Raina’s comedy reality show. The show, known for its edgy humor, saw Allahbadia make a remark about a contestant’s parents and sex, which was deemed highly inappropriate by netizens.
In a video clip from the show, that has now gone viral, Ranveer asks a contestant whether they would watch their parents have s*x for the rest of their life or join them once and put a stop to it.
As the clip from the show went viral, social media users demanded action against him, with some calling for a complete ban on India’s Got Latent. Several influencers and commentators criticized Allahbadia for crossing ethical boundaries in the name of comedy.
Ranveer Allahbadia’s Apology
Facing severe criticism, Allahbadia posted an apology video on X, admitting his mistake and acknowledging that his comment was not just inappropriate but also unfunny.
"Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry," he said in the video. He further explained that he did not intend to disrespect families and that he had requested the show’s makers to remove the offensive segment.
"Many of you asked if this is how I wish to use my platform. Obviously, this is not how I wish to use my platform. I had a lapse in judgment. It wasn't cool on my part. Family is the last thing I would ever disrespect. Need to use this platform better, and that’s my learning from this experience. I hope you can forgive me as a human being," he added.
Political Reactions and Police Complaints
The controversy quickly caught the attention of politicians, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly condemning Allahbadia’s remarks. Though he admitted he had not personally seen the clip, he emphasized the need for responsible speech.
"Everyone has the freedom of speech, but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others... In our society, we have rules against obscenity. It is very wrong if someone violates them, and action should be taken," Fadnavis stated.
Shiv Sena leader Raju Waghmare also expressed outrage, warning Allahbadia against misusing the right to free speech.
"Using such language in the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is unacceptable. We warn him. Shiv Sena won’t tolerate it," Waghmare said.
The controversy also led to formal police complaints. Mumbai Police confirmed that multiple complaints had been received against Allahbadia and the India’s Got Latent show, alleging vulgarity and obscene content. Following these complaints, police officers visited the show’s sets in Khar, Mumbai, to assess the situation.
Industry and Public Backlash
Writer and storyteller Neelesh Misra shared the controversial clip, calling out the creators for their lack of responsibility.
"Meet the perverted creators who are shaping our country's creative economy. This content is not marked as adult content and can be accessed by children. These creators can say anything in the name of freedom of speech and get away with it," Misra wrote on X.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also criticized Allahbadia, stating, "This isn’t creative. It’s perverse. We can’t normalize such behavior as cool."
The controversy has triggered a wave of unsubscribes from Allahbadia’s and Raina’s YouTube channels, with many users calling for responsible content creation.
One user tweeted, “Ranveer doesn’t deserve to be followed. Unfollowing him is the best message we can send.” Another commented, “Influencers like Raina and Allahbadia are distorting India’s cultural values. Let’s promote content that respects our heritage.”
Allahbadia’s Past and Future Implications
Allahbadia, who has interviewed major Indian political, business, and Bollywood figures, was honored with a National Creators Award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. His collaborations with the Digital India Corporation and Cabinet Ministers have made him a prominent figure in India's digital landscape. However, this controversy may impact his brand partnerships and reputation.
While he has apologized, many believe more concrete actions are needed to regain public trust. Some experts have suggested that social media platforms enforce stricter content moderation policies to prevent such incidents.
The controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia has highlighted the growing concerns over digital content responsibility. While influencers wield enormous influence over young audiences, the incident has underscored the fine line between humor and offensiveness. Whether Allahbadia can recover from this setback remains to be seen, but for now, the backlash against him continues, with both authorities and the public keeping a close watch on further developments.
