Mumbai, September 3: Gajendra Chauhan, known for his role as Yudhishthir in the epic series “Mahabharat,” has voiced his concerns regarding the recent controversy surrounding comedian Samay Raina. This follows Raina’s remarks about Bihar and Kashmiri Pandits during an episode of “India’s Got Latent 2,” which sparked significant backlash.
In an interview, Chauhan emphasized that being a stand-up comedian does not grant one the license to mock individuals excessively or insult people from any region. He expressed disappointment over the honor bestowed upon Raina during a cyber awareness event in Mumbai, hosted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Chauhan stated, “It is deeply saddening that a comedian like Samay Raina has been honored. I don’t believe he deserves this recognition. If you use comedy to make derogatory remarks, you should face consequences, not accolades. There are limits to comedy, and artists must respect those boundaries. While every artist has the freedom to express themselves, it does not mean they can say anything against individuals or communities.”
He further highlighted that many stand-up comedians often cross the line during their performances. “In such cases, people should either completely ignore such content or, if serious, legal action should be taken against the individual involved. It is crucial to understand that freedom of expression does not mean one can say anything without repercussions. Today, jokes are made at the expense of people from a particular state; tomorrow, another state could be targeted. India is a diverse nation with various states, languages, and cultures. It is inappropriate to mock people based on their employment struggles in their home states,” he added.
Chauhan advised Raina to maintain boundaries in his comedy. “Comedy should not be about humiliating anyone or making derogatory statements about people from any region,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his nearly 45-year career in film and acting, Chauhan noted that he has witnessed many instances where comedians and artists overstep their limits. He believes that there should be penalties to deter such behavior, sending a clear message that inappropriate remarks are unacceptable in the country. “There is no place for obscenity in comedy. Renowned comedians Mahmood and Johnny Lever have entertained audiences without resorting to vulgarity. Today, some stand-up comedians cross the line and say anything, which should not be tolerated,” he asserted.
The controversy began when Raina and fellow comedian Sharon Verma joked about their origins during an episode of “India’s Got Latent 2.” Raina humorously introduced Verma, saying, “Sharon Verma is a Bihari who came to Mumbai in search of a job.” Verma responded, “At least I left my state by choice.”
BJP MLA Ram Kadam has also criticized Raina’s comments, accusing some individuals of making controversial statements for publicity. He stated that Hinduism and Kashmiri Pandits should not be subjects of mockery. Apologizing later does not absolve one from responsibility, as the individual has already gained significant publicity.
Raina has previously faced controversies related to “India’s Got Latent.” In 2025, a contentious comment made by Ranveer Allahbadia led to significant backlash, resulting in the show’s cancellation and an FIR being filed. Raina was also questioned following a joke he made about the Maharashtra Cyber Cell during the same cyber awareness event where he was honored.
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