Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Manoj Bajpayee Responds to Samay Raina's Bihari-Kashmiri Joke Controversy
A comedy show called India's Got Latent Season 2 became controversial after two comedians exchanged jokes.
Samay Raina joked about Sharon Verma’s links to Bihar.
Sharon Verma made jokes about Raina’s Kashmiri Pandit background.
Some people online said the jokes were offensive.
Manoj Bajpayee said jokes are acceptable to him when they are harmless and made for fun.
He said people should be able to laugh at themselves and together.
He also said humor should not hurt people or show disrespect.
Two politicians criticized the remarks, and Raina has not yet publicly answered the criticism.
Samay Raina and Sharon Verma’s exchange on India's Got Latent Season 2 sparked controversy.
The jokes referenced Bihar, Kashmir and the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits.
Social-media users criticized the exchange and its context.
Manoj Bajpayee said he does not mind jokes if they are harmless and made in jest.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam and Bihar Minister Mithilesh Tiwari criticized the remarks, while Raina has not publicly responded.
- Who
- Comedians Samay Raina and Sharon Verma, actor Manoj Bajpayee, BJP MLA Ram Kadam and Bihar Minister Mithilesh Tiwari are central to the report.
- What
- An exchange of Bihari- and Kashmiri-related jokes on India's Got Latent Season 2 drew criticism and prompted reactions from Bajpayee and politicians.
- When
- The controversy followed the latest episode of India's Got Latent Season 2; no specific date is provided.
- Why
- Critics objected to references involving Bihar, Kashmir and the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, which they viewed as offensive or derogatory.
Critics of the exchange
Bajpayee's humor-based perspective
Whether the jokes were acceptable
Critics of the exchange
Social-media users criticized the jokes, while Ram Kadam and Mithilesh Tiwari objected to references involving regional identity, Sanatan Hindu deities and Kashmiri Pandits.
Bajpayee's humor-based perspective
Manoj Bajpayee said he does not mind such jokes when they are harmless and made in jest.
Humor versus offense
Critics of the exchange
Critics said derogatory remarks about citizens or Kashmiri Pandits are unacceptable and should not be excused by apologizing later.
Bajpayee's humor-based perspective
Bajpayee said people should learn to laugh at themselves and each other, while maintaining respect and avoiding hurt or offense.
- Show
- India's Got Latent Season 2
- Comedians
- Samay Raina and Sharon Verma
- Subject of jokes
- Bihar, Kashmir and the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits
- Bajpayee's position
- He said he does not mind jokes when they are harmless and made in jest.
- Bajpayee's advice
- People should have humor about themselves while respecting others and avoiding hurt or offense.
- Political criticism
- Ram Kadam and Mithilesh Tiwari called the remarks unacceptable, offensive or derogatory.
- Raina's response
- Samay Raina had not publicly reacted to the latest criticism at the time of the report.
