Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy: The Dark Side of Roast Comedy and Why We Laugh at Others
YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as ‘BeerBiceps,’ has landed in legal trouble over an alleged obscene remark made during comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show, India’s Got Latent. The controversy has sparked widespread criticism, raising questions about the limits of comedy and the ethical boundaries of roast humor.
Legal Case and Public Outrage
A case was filed against both Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina, leading to their summons by the Mumbai police. The incident has triggered strong reactions from social media users, public figures, and political leaders. Some have even brought up the matter in Parliament, further intensifying the debate.
For Allahbadia, who was recognized as the Disruptor of the Year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the National Creators Award last year, this controversy has proven particularly damaging. His remarks, which were meant as a joke, have been widely condemned, with critics accusing him of crossing the line of acceptable humor. Despite issuing an apology stating that “comedy is not my forte,” the backlash continues.
Kusha Kapila’s Similar Experience
The controversy surrounding Allahbadia is reminiscent of a similar situation involving content creator and actor Kusha Kapila. She had appeared on Pretty Good Roast Show, where Raina made personal remarks about her marriage, divorce, and sex life. The episode went viral, drawing criticism for its demeaning content.
Kapila later expressed her discomfort, explaining that the jokes were not pre-approved as is customary in Western roast formats. In a social media post, she stated, “Maybe I should have asked for a script and known better, but since friends were involved, I didn’t. Rookie mistake.” She further noted that while she endured the jokes in a live setting, she was not okay with them being broadcast to millions, calling some of the remarks “shockingly unkind.”
The Psychology Behind Roast Humor
The controversy reignites discussions about the psychology of roast humor and its impact on individuals. Existential psychotherapist Gurleen Baruah explains that humor inherently comes at someone’s expense, creating a balance between wit, discomfort, and shared laughter. She describes it as a “dance with discomfort,” where comedians must carefully navigate the line between entertainment and offense.
Psychologist Anjali Gursahaney further breaks it down using multiple theories. The Superiority Theory suggests that people laugh at others to reinforce a sense of dominance, while the Benign Violation Theory argues that humor arises when social norms are challenged in a way that still feels safe or playful. Additionally, shared laughter, even at someone’s expense, can act as a form of social bonding and emotional catharsis.
Comedians Struggle with Boundaries
For comedians, finding the right balance between humor and offense remains a challenge. Stand-up comedian Rishabh Goyal emphasizes the need for empathy in comedy. “Before making a joke, I ask myself, ‘Will this person laugh with me?’ rather than ‘Will people laugh at them?’” he explains.
Navin Kumar, another stand-up comedian, believes that the boundary of acceptable humor is often defined by the comedian’s conscience. He argues that the idea of “going too far” is subjective and varies based on individual perspectives. Comedian Garv Malik adds that every audience member interprets jokes differently, making it impossible to establish a universal standard for humor.
The Future of Roast Culture in India
As the debate over comedy and ethical humor continues, incidents like these highlight the growing scrutiny on content creators and comedians. While roast humor remains popular, the conversation around its impact and ethical boundaries is more relevant than ever. With legal actions and public discourse shaping the narrative, content creators may need to rethink their approach to humor, ensuring that their content remains engaging without crossing the line into controversy.
