Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Manoj Bajpayee Urges Humor With Respect Amid Samay Raina Row
Manoj Bajpayee talked about a joke involving comedian Samay Raina’s show.
He said people should be able to laugh at themselves and with each other.
He also said jokes should not hurt people or disrespect where they come from.
Manoj shared that a Delhi bus driver once called him “Bihari” after he tried to enter a bus through the wrong door.
He said he did not feel offended because he was from Bihar and was new to the city.
Later, he and friends from different states joked about one another.
He believes this kind of friendly humor can be healthy.
However, he said it becomes wrong when someone’s background or community is treated as a problem.
Manoj Bajpayee said people should learn to laugh at themselves and at one another.
He was responding to a comedy exchange involving Samay Raina and Sharon Verma.
Bajpayee said humor is acceptable when it is mutual and rooted in respect.
He recalled a Delhi bus driver calling him “Bihari” when he was 18.
He said jokes become problematic when someone’s origin or community is treated as a problem.
- Who
- Actor Manoj Bajpayee, in response to an incident involving comedian Samay Raina and Sharon Verma.
- What
- Bajpayee discussed humor about people’s roots and said it should be balanced with respect.
- When
- During promotions for his upcoming film Last Man in Tower.
- Where
- The comments were made in Mumbai; Bajpayee also recalled a past incident in Delhi.
- Why
- He was asked about banter on Samay Raina’s show in which the participants mocked each other’s roots.
- Actor
- Manoj Bajpayee
- Show discussed
- India's Got Latent
- Comedian
- Samay Raina
- Other participant
- Sharon Verma
- Upcoming film
- Last Man in Tower
- Bajpayee’s position
- Humor is acceptable when it is mutual and respectful.
- Past incident
- At age 18 in Delhi, a bus driver told Bajpayee to board from the back gate and called him “Bihari.”