Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva Mukhija apologize to NCW, ‘Vow to think before speaking’ after Latent drama

YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva Mukhija, and comedians associated with India’s Got Latent appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on March 6 after facing criticism for controversial remarks made on the show. The NCW, which took suo motu cognizance of the matter, summoned the individuals involved following public outrage and multiple complaints. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar confirmed on March 7 that the content creators submitted written apologies and assured they would be more responsible with their words in the future.

The controversy began after a viral clip from the show featured Allahbadia making an explicit remark about parents and sex, leading to severe backlash. Several FIRs were filed against him in different states, prompting legal proceedings. The Supreme Court later granted him interim protection from arrest but termed his comments “vulgar” and stated that they reflected a “dirty mind” that brought shame to society. Mukhija and other comedians also faced criticism for their statements during the episode.

Following the NCW hearing, Rahatkar stated, “The obscene language they used in the show is absolutely indecent. The Commission will never accept it.” She further emphasized that the individuals involved acknowledged their mistake and assured that such remarks would not be repeated. "They expressed regret and acknowledged their language was inappropriate," she added. Allahbadia reportedly told the panel, “This is the first and last time such a mistake has happened. From now on, I will think carefully and speak with respect toward women.”

The show’s producers, Saurabh Bothra and Tushar Poojari, also appeared before the commission along with legal representatives for comedian Jaspreet Singh and YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani. The NCW had earlier stated that the remarks made on India’s Got Latent reinforced harmful stereotypes and were unacceptable in any form. Following the backlash, all episodes of the show were removed from YouTube.

Host Samay Raina, who led the show, faced pressure after the controversy gained traction, and sources indicated that he was "depressed, sad, and scared" following the incident. However, he has assured full cooperation with authorities. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the responsibilities of digital content creators and the impact of inappropriate humor on public discourse.

The NCW concluded the proceedings by stating that it would remain vigilant against such content in the future. “Keeping the social impact in mind, they were issued notices. They came before the commission and expressed deep regret,” Rahatkar said. While the content creators have issued formal apologies, legal actions related to the FIRs filed against them remain ongoing.