'Chichorapanti in name of comedy': Dhruv Rathee condemns vulgar jokes, online hypocrisy

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has joined the ongoing debate surrounding India’s Got Latent and the FIRs filed against comedians Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia. In a video released on Wednesday night, Rathee dissected the controversy that has gripped the nation, sparking debates across mainstream media and social platforms.

Dhruv Rathee’s take on the controversy

While Rathee firmly stated that the government should not interfere in online content through bans, he did not hold back in criticizing comedians who resort to vulgarity in the name of humor. He condemned the joke cracked by Ranveer Allahbadia on the show, calling it “bhadda” (crass) and obscene. However, he also pointed out the hypocrisy of those attacking Allahbadia while using abusive language themselves.

Rathee challenged the notion that movies, web series, and comedy do not influence society’s mindset, emphasizing that people learn their values from their surroundings rather than inheriting them genetically.

Calling out offensive comedy

The YouTuber highlighted the use of derogatory language in Samay Raina’s show, recalling an instance where comedian Kusha Kapila was addressed with an offensive slur during a roast session. He also pointed to comedian Harsh Gujral’s jokes about Russian women, which he argued have contributed to real-world harassment. Additionally, he showed clips from The Kapil Sharma Show, where Kapil was seen forcefully hugging a woman on stage, terming it an example of “chichorapanti” (lewd behavior). Rathee stressed that such jokes normalize derogatory behavior towards women, making it acceptable for men to use the same language in real life. He argued that the sole purpose of these jokes is to shock audiences and provoke reactions rather than to deliver meaningful humor.

An appeal for responsible Comedy

While criticizing offensive jokes, Rathee urged comedians to take a more responsible approach. He encouraged them to “punch up rather than punch down”—meaning comedy should challenge those in power rather than mock vulnerable individuals. He praised comedians like Gaurav Kapoor, Abhishek Upmanyu, Manik Mahna, and Kunal Kamra but also urged them to reduce the use of abusive language in their work.

The controversy explained

The controversy erupted after Ranveer Allahbadia made an inappropriate joke about a participant’s parents on India’s Got Latent, sparking backlash from social media users, public figures, and political leaders. The outrage quickly escalated, leading to multiple police complaints against Allahbadia and show host Samay Raina. Both were summoned for questioning, and the issue was even raised in Parliament, further intensifying the debate. With the controversy showing no signs of slowing down, Rathee’s take has added another dimension to the discussion, questioning both the limits of comedy and society’s response to it.