Stand-up Comedy

SC summons Samay Raina, warns of coercive steps over disability jokes

The Supreme Court warned of coercive action if Samay Raina and others fail to appear over alleged mockery of people with disabilities and is considering guidelines for online content

The comic red line: What defines boundaries of comedians' free expression?

Jesters of the past enjoyed immunity. Today's comedians navigate power, backlash, and blurred lines

Bombay HC grants Kunal Kamra protection till April 17, seeks govt reply

Bombay High Court has granted comedian Kunal Kamra protection till April 17. The next hearing will take place on April 16

Madras HC extends Kunal Kamra's interim protection in Shinde remarks case

This comes soon after Kamra moved the Bombay High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR

'Traitor' jibe case: Kunal Kamra skips third summons from Mumbai police

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra failed to appear before the Mumbai police on Saturday in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly passing a "traitor" jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, an official said. This is the third time Kamra has given police summons a miss, the official said. The Khar police booked Kamra on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the deputy chief minister during a show. Kamra shot a video lampooning Shinde over the split in the Shiv Sena, and party workers later ransacked the studio and the hotel in which it is located on the night of March 23. The official said the Mumbai police asked Kamra to appear before it on April 5, issuing summons to him for the third time. Earlier this week, a team from the Khar police visited his residence in Mahim after he skipped the second summons. The Madras High Court has granted interim anticipatory bail to Kamra till April 7. He is a ..

Kunal Kamra row: Police issue 3rd summons, ask him to appear on April 5

Police on Tuesday issued a third summons to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and asked him to appear before them on April 5 in a case filed for allegedly making derogatory remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a show in Mumbai, officials said. Kamra (36) has been asked to appear before officials of the Khar Police Station in suburban Mumbai where the first FIR against him was registered last month, they said. The 36-year-old comedian was earlier summoned two times by the police, but he failed to appear before them and joined the investigation. The case stems from caustic remarks Kamra made against Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, at a show organised at a studio in the metropolis. Angered by the comments, workers of the Shiv Sena vandalised the studio late last month. The police have filed the case against Kamra under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to defamation and public mischief. The case was filed after the comedian last month posted a

Kunal Kamra faces more trouble as three cases filed against him in Mumbai

Kunal Kamra had approached the Madras High Court to seek transit anticipatory bail, claiming he has been receiving many threats following his recent satirical comments

'India's Got Latent' row: Samay Raina appears before Maharashtra Cyber Cell

The investigation centers around allegations of promoting obscenity and vulgar content through his show

'Sena workers provoked': Rahool Kanal defends vandalism in Kunal Kamra row

Kunal Kamra-Eknath Shinde row: Shiv Sena youth leader Rahool Kanal defends vandalism, says studio owner misbehaved with Shinde Sena workers

Breach of privilege notice filed against Kunal Kamra in Maharashtra council

A breach of privilege notice was moved against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in the Maharashtra legislative council on Wednesday over his parody song targeting deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. BJP legislator Pravin Darekar moved the notice against the comedian as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. "Kunal Kamra performed a song containing personal and insulting references to deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," said Darekar, leader of the legislative council, presenting the motion. "Andhare supported the performance and used objectionable language, which amounts to contempt of the House," he further said. Both Kamra and Andhare disrespected the dignity of legislative institutions through their remarks, Darekar claimed. The notice will have to be approved by Council chairman Ram Shinde before it is presented to the privilege committee. If the committee approves it, the motion will be discussed in the House. In the state assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare

Mumbai police reject Kunal Kamra's extension plea, may issue fresh summons

Kunal Kamra's lawyer submitted his appeal and the reply in person at the Khar Police Station, which was turned down

'There could be repercussions for what you say': Kangana on Kamra show row

Disgracing anyone in the name of comedy is in bad taste, actor and MP Kangana Ranaut said on Tuesday as she weighed in on the ongoing controversy over comic Kunal Kamra's remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's political career. Ranaut, a BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, was speaking to reporters outside the Parliament here. "You may be anyone but disrespecting anyone (is not good). You are disgracing someone in the name of comedy, you are disregarding what all he has done. Shinde ji used to drive an auto rickshaw a while ago. "Today he has made it till here on his own. What are his (Kamra's) credentials? Who are these people who haven't done anything in life? If they can write, I'd say write literature or comedy scenes in films. Abusing in the name of comedy, mocking our scriptures in the name of comedy, making fun of people, mothers and sisters (is not right)," Ranaut said. Kamra recently performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film "Dil Toh

Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise for Shinde remark: 'I don't fear this mob'

I don't fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down, said Kunal Kamra on his Eknath Shinde remark

'India's Got Latent' row: Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva apologise to NCW

YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija submitted written apologies to the NCW over their offensive remarks made on "India's Got Latent", panel chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said on Friday and asserted that their comments on the online show were "simply not acceptable". Allahbadia, Mukhija and show producers Saurabh Bothra and Tushar Poojari appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) here on Thursday. According to sources, the two YouTubers were quizzed for hours. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Rahatkar said the NCW will not accept the use of inappropriate language. "Four people appeared before the commission -- Tushar Poojari, Saurabh Bothra, Apoorva Mukhija and Ranveer Allahbadia. The commission will not accept the use of inappropriate language. Such remarks are simply not acceptable," the NCW chief said in response to a question. Rahatkar said the individuals expressed regret over their remarks. "Keeping the social impact in mind, they were issued

India's got latent: The fine line between comedy, thinking, and offence

A chess game between two friends sparks a debate on comedy, free speech, and societal taboos. In a world where humour can provoke both thought and outrage, where should the line be drawn?

Can India take the 'roast'? The fine line between humour and offence

Ranveer Allahabadia's joke on Samay Raina's show India's Got Latent reignites discussions on roast comedy, its acceptance in India, and why the format continues to face backlash

The many times that Indian comedians landed on the wrong side of the law

A crass remark by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia on comedian Samay Raina's show "India's Got Latent" has left many involved struggling against the long arms of the law. The comment on parents and sex went viral on social media on February 10. Ever since, Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, has been at the centre of heated discussion. Several FIRs have been filed against him as well other comedians, including Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija, who were part of the show. Even as the Supreme Court of Tuesday protected Allahbadia from arrest over his distasteful comments, the episode refreshed in collective memory the many times Indian comedians were criticised for their content and at times found themselves on the wrong side of the law. In February 2015, when Indian audiences were still warming up to the idea of stand-up comedy and YouTube comedy shows were in their nascent stage, the All India Bakchod Knockout, aka AIB Knockout, attracted the wrong type of attention

'India's Got Latent' row: FIR against all individuals linked to show

As per the latest development, an FIR has been filed against all individuals associated with the 'India's Got Latent' show following Ranveer Allahbadia's offensive remarks

NCW defers hearing as 'India's Got Latent' Youtubers cite safety concerns

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a new hearing date after 'India's Got Latent' Youtubers failed to appear in response to its summons regarding derogatory and obscene remarks made on their show. The Commission had summoned content creators and public figures, including Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Mukhija, Jaspreet Singh, Ashish Chanchlani, Tushar Poojari, Saurabh Bothra and Balraj Ghai, to appear before it on February 17, 2025 at 12 PM. However, citing concerns over personal safety, prior travel commitments and other logistical challenges, many failed to attend in person, the NCW officials said. Allahabadia, citing death threats, requested a postponement of three weeks, prompting the Commission to reschedule his hearing to March 6, 2025. Similarly, Mukhija, expressing safety concerns, requested to appear virtually until conditions stabilize. Her hearing was also moved to March 6. Raina, currently in the U.S. for a pre-planned tour, assured the NCW of

'India's Got Latent' row: Receiving death threats, says Ranveer Allahbadia

Popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia apologised for his remark on parents again on Saturday but said he feels scared as he and his family are receiving death threats. Allahbadia, one of the most influential podcasters with over 16 million followers across social media platforms, landed in a major controversy over his comment on parents and sex at Samay Raina's comedy show "India's Got Latent". He apologised the next day but the controversy refused to die down with police complaints filed against him and those involved with the show. On Saturday, he issued another apology on X and said he and his team are cooperating with the police and all other authorities. "I will follow due process and be available to all agencies. My remark about parents was insensitive and disrespectful. It is my moral responsibility to do better and I am genuinely sorry. "I'm watching death threats pour in from people saying that they want to kill me and hurt my family. People have invaded my mother's clinic