Last week, a well-known YouTuber and podcaster, Ranveer Allahbadia, made headlines for all the wrong reasons. I admit that I watch his podcasts and find the information I gain from them quite impressive. I look forward to his episodes because I find them engaging and insightful. Unfortunately, I was shocked to hear him say something like that on a public platform (I won’t repeat what he said; it’s available on various sites for everyone to see). What someone says behind closed doors is, of course, not my concern! I saw Ranveer on television and pictured him as interested in health, fitness, spirituality, yoga, meditation, and more. Then, all of a sudden, there was a shift. This has hurt his loyal audience, and perhaps the public finds it hard to accept. I count myself among them, hence this outrage! Someone like Ranveer Allahbadia, who claims to have been meditating for four to five years, should be guided by clarity. Or is he being two-faced? I don’t know. I am not here to engage in moral policing or analyze Ranveer’s psyche. Still, for heaven’s sake, these so-called influencers need to realize that there’s a significant limit to freedom of speech, and they cannot take it for granted in the name of comedy or, more specifically, ‘dark comedy’ and stand-up comedy. 

He knew what he was saying. It didn’t seem extemporaneous or like a spur-of-the-moment thought. He appeared prepared and picked it up from an Australian chat show. But why did he say it should be left to his common sense? I am not here to examine the merits and demerits of his statements. It is not about right or wrong; it is about appropriateness. It’s not just him; many other YouTubers say utterly preposterous things and get away with it. Not only with Ranveer, but I was also profoundly shocked by how his co-panelist on the India Got Latent show, Apoorva Makhija, rebutted a contestant. 

Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but do indecency, lewd remarks, insulting a woman’s modesty, demeaning those less fortunate, mocking individuals with disabilities, and denigrating others based on their color, race, or gender truly qualify as comedy, satire, or dark humor? I don’t know, and I don’t subscribe to such nonsense. Yet some people watch these shows, giggle, and laugh wholeheartedly. It should be remembered that life is a full circle—what goes around comes around. I believe that nowadays, ‘gaali garoch’ is seen as comedy…is it? When someone hurls insults at me, I feel hurt. Obviously. Or, as per the trend, should I shrug it off as a comedy? I am confused. 

I understand there is constant pressure on social media to present an appealing image and showcase one's best self (and sometimes the ‘other’ side) for external validation through likes, votes, subscriptions, and more. But when individuals refer to themselves as ‘influencers’ or ‘catalysts for change,’ shouldn’t they acknowledge the importance of acting and speaking for the public good, especially given their millions of followers? Shouldn’t they comply with the laws of the land where they reside, which impose reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech? I’m not sure if this situation is being stretched too far. Are we making Allahbadia and Co. scapegoats? These content creators should set a line and establish boundaries for themselves. Laughter is the best medicine, no doubt! However, as someone who grew up in the 90s watching the likes of Jaspal Bhatti and shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh, Shrimaan Shrimati, and Duck Tales, as well as reading comics such as ‘Champak’ and ‘Chacha Choudhary,’ I cannot support modern-day so-called comedy. 

Let good sense and wisdom prevail! Namaste.