Samay Raina Boasts Record Views for 'Latent 2' Amid Controversy

Comedian Samay Raina has responded to recent backlash surrounding the latest episode of India's Got Latent 2 by boasting about its record-breaking numbers, according to an NDTV report.

Despite facing sharp criticism over controversial jokes directed at Bihari stereotypes and Kashmiri Pandits, Raina shared a screenshot on his Instagram story displaying the show's viewership metrics. The latest installment amassed 31.9 million views, outperforming the show's previous nine episodes—the closest recorded at 28.6 million views. Raina underscored the moment by adding Eminem’s track "The Way I Am" as the background audio for the post.

The backlash stems from an exchange during the episode, which featured a panel including Orry, Archana Puran Singh, Nishant Suri, Sharon Verma, and Raina. In a comedic back-and-forth, former contestant turned judge Sharon Verma made fun of Raina's persistent seat on the show, prompting Raina to respond with a joke targeted at language stereotypes associated with Bihar.

The banter escalated when Verma made a joke drawing a parallel between getting high and stone-pelting in Kashmir. Raina quipped in return that he "loves getting 'stoned,'" followed by another remark about Biharis moving to Mumbai for work. Verma countered with, "At least I left my state by choice," an apparent reference to the 1990s exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley.

While the exchange triggered widespread criticism online for touching on sensitive regional stereotypes and historical trauma, Raina appears focused on the milestone viewership figures the episode continues to generate. Photo - Still from the episode