- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Top 10 Most Controversial Comedy Acts In India: Comedy has always been a powerful tool for entertainment, but sometimes, it sparks controversy. Many Indian comedians have faced backlash for their jokes, whether due to political sensitivity, religious sentiments or cultural norms. From Munawar Faruqui's arrest over religious jokes to Ranveer Allahbadia’s explicit questions regarding parents' sexual life at "India Got Latent" have found themselves in trouble. Others, like Vir Das, Tanmay Bhat, Kunal Kamra and Samay Raina have also made headlines for their bold content.
This article explores the top 10 most controversial comedy acts and the comedians behind them, highlighting the incidents that stirred debates about freedom of speech and the limits of humour.
1. Samay Raina
In February 2025, comedian Samay Raina faced criticism for his YouTube show "India's Got Latent". A contestant was asked an inappropriate question by him and guest judge Ranveer Allahbadia, which caused public indignation and legal complaints against both. The dispute sparked conversations about comedy's content limits.
2. Ranveer Allahbadia
In an episode of "India's Got Latent," guest judge Ranveer Allahbadia asked a contestant an explicit question involving their parent's sexual life. This remark quickly caught social media's attention and he was widely condemned, resulting in police investigations and debates on social media regulation and freedom of expression in India.
View this post on Instagram
3. Apoorva Mukhija
In the same episode, social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija also appeared as a guest judge along with Ranveer Allahbadia on "India's Got Latent." Following the episode's controversial content, Mukhija received severe backlash, including threats, leading to her removal from some significant public events. She was even removed from the ambassador of the IIFA award list.
4. Munawar Faruqui
Comedian Munawar Faruqui was arrested in Indore in January 2021 for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Hindu gods while performing. He was imprisoned for a month despite the absence of hard proof, which sparked discussions in India about the boundaries of comedy and freedom of speech.
5. Vir Das' "Two Índias" Monologue
Comedian Vir Das performed a monologue titled "Two Indias" at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., in November 2021. Reactions to his comparison of different facets of Indian society were conflicted; some applauded his candour, while others charged him with disparaging the country.
6. Tanmay Bhat
In 2016, comedian Tanmay Bhat came under fire for a Snapchat video in which he impersonated Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar using a face-swap filter. Many people found the satirical video offensive, which sparked a lot of outrage and conversations about what constitutes appropriate humour.”
7. Kapil Sharma's Remarks About Women in Government Offices
-1742809333062.jpg)
Kapil Sharma's controversy (Image: Instagram)
During a 2016 episode of "The Kapil Sharma Show," host Kapil Sharma made a joke about women working in government offices, suggesting that they were ineffective. Because it perpetuated stereotypes about female government employees and was sexist, the comment on social media drew criticism.
8. Kunal Kamra
When comedian Kunal Kamra confronted journalist Arnab Goswami during a flight in 2020, several airlines banned him, raising concerns about his journalistic ethics. Discussions concerning Kamra's actions and freedom of expression were spurred by the incident.
9. Vidushi Swaroop's prostitution statement
During a performance in October 2023, stand-up comedian Vidushi Swaroop called prostitution a "cool profession." Her comments were widely criticised for trivialising a complicated issue and being insensitive.
10. Abish Mathew (The AIB Roast)
Comedian Abish Mathew took part in the AIB Knockout Roast in 2015 alongside actors Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. Due to its graphic content, the event drew harsh criticism, which sparked discussions about whether roast comedy is appropriate in India and police complaints.