Samay Raina feared going bankrupt like Amitabh Bachchan after India’s Got Latent row: ‘Lost sponsors, broke FDs’

Comedian Samay Raina recently made headlines with his comedy special Still Alive, reflecting on the fallout from last year’s India’s Got Latent controversy and the financial turmoil it caused him.

‘I lost everything’: Samay on financial setback

Speaking on the Dostcast, Samay revealed that the controversy led to major losses. He said several episodes had to be scrapped as collaborators backed out, while sponsors withdrew support. Since he had already received and invested those funds, he had to break fixed deposits to return the money, leaving him in a financial crunch.

He added that multiple brand deals and ad projects were also cancelled, with companies demanding refunds. Even a tour deal with BookMyShow, for which he had received an advance, became a source of stress as the money had already been invested.

Fear of going bankrupt

Samay admitted he was deeply anxious during the period and feared financial ruin. He compared his situation to that of Amitabh Bachchan, who faced a major financial crisis in the late 1990s after the collapse of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, which reportedly left him with massive debt.

What was the controversy?

The backlash stemmed from an episode of India’s Got Latent featuring creators like Ranveer Allahbadia, Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Mukhija. A controversial remark made during the show triggered outrage online, leading to multiple FIRs against those involved.

The situation forced Samay to take down the show from YouTube, while Ranveer later issued a public apology. In March, the Supreme Court of India allowed Ranveer to resume his podcast.

Looking ahead

In his new special, Samay claimed the controversial joke was made multiple times during filming, but only one instance made the final cut. He also acknowledged the toll the episode took on his mental health.

Despite the setback, Samay has hinted at a possible second season of India’s Got Latent, signaling a comeback after a difficult phase.