Stand-up comic Samay Raina, has been very frank about the emotions he went through due to the backlash caused by the “India’s Got Latent” issue, only a few days after releasing his comedy special called “Still Alive.”
As reported in a recent interview in a podcast, hosted by Vaibhav Munjal on Chalchitra Talks, the stand-up comedian expressed how he went through the most difficult time in his life following the controversy.
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“I was zoned out”
This controversy arose from the comments made by Ranveer Allahbadia on his show in February 2025, which caused a lot of anger amongst the masses, resulting in protests and even filing lawsuits against the people associated with the show, including Raina himself.
Reflecting on that time, the comedian said he felt “depersonalised” and disconnected. “I was like a dead body… zoned out, just looking at people and feeling terrible,” he said during the podcast.
Raina revealed that he attempted to record an apology video multiple times on legal advice but was unable to complete it. “I recorded that apology nine times… I was just doing whatever people were saying,” he added.
‘Still Alive’ became a turning point
He referred to his last special, called Still Alive, as a form of therapy since writing had helped him deal with what happened after the fiasco.
This special was penned and produced in just two months, contrasting with the general practice whereby stand-up specials take years to be developed. This is because it was the most personal project he had ever done in reaction to the emotions that surrounded him.
During this time, Raina even held some shows in Canada despite adverse circumstances. He referred to this as one of the most trying times in his career.
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Support from peers and coping mechanisms
The comedian acknowledged support from fellow comics like Vir Das and Tanmay Bhat, who helped him navigate the situation. Moreover, he talked about the ways he found to cope, such as guitar and poker playing.
The interview was recorded at Mumbai’s Habitat venue, a space closely associated with the show and Raina’s journey through the controversy.
