Samay Raina

{{Short description|Indian comedian and YouTuber (born 1997)}} {{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox youtuber | image = Samay raina (cropped).jpg | caption = Raina in 2020 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|10|26|df=y}} | birth_place = Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir India | alma_mater = PVG's College of Engineering | occupation = {{hlist|Stand-up comedian|YouTuber}} | yearsactive = 2017–present | known_for = {{hlist|''India's Got Latent''|''Comicstaan 2''}} | spouse = | youtube_handle = SamayRainaOfficial | youtube_display_name = Samay Raina

| youtube_years_active = | youtube_genre = {{flatlist| * Comedy * Gameplay * Chess }} | youtube_subscribers = 8.72 million | youtube_views = 748.4 million | stats_update = 17 May 2026 }}

'''Samay Raina''' (born 26 October 1997)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samay Raina {{!}} Top Chess Players |url=https://www.chess.com/players/samay-raina |website=Chess.com |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> is an Indian stand-up comedian and YouTuber. He was the co-winner of the stand-up comedy contest ''Comicstaan 2'' (2019).<ref>{{cite news |title=Aakash Gupta and Samay Raina win Comicstaan 2 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/comicstaan-2-winners-aakash-gupta-and-samay-raina-5909204/ |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=16 August 2019}}</ref> In 2024, he hosted the comedy talent show ''India's Got Latent''.

== Early life == Raina was born in Jammu city of the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir into a conservative Kashmiri Pandit family from Salia area of Seer Hamdan Anantnag. He enrolled in a print engineering course at Vidhyarthi Griha's College of Engineering and Technology in Pune, Maharashtra, which he said was a waste of time, and started doing open mic events and eventually became a regular in the local comedy scene.<ref>{{cite news|date=23 January 2020|title='Standing up' for Kashmir|work=The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2020/jan/23/standing-up-for-kashmir-2093128.html|access-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>

== Career ==

===Stand-up=== After performing at multiple open mics since 27 August 2017, Raina began opening for well-known comedians like Anirban Dasgupta and Abhishek Upmanyu in Pune. As he gained recognition, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in stand-up comedy and gave several successful shows in Mumbai and several cities across the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Anshika |date=11 February 2025 |title=Standup Comedian Samay Raina’s Impressive Net Worth |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/web-stories/check-out-standup-comedian-samay-raina-impressive-networth-125105 |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Jagran Josh}}</ref> In 2019, he participated in ''Comicstaan 2'' from a suggestion from his eventual co-winner Aakash Gupta. Later, he became the joint winner of ''Comicstaan 2'' with Aakash Gupta, aired on Amazon Prime Video.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Comicstaan Season 2 winners: Akash Gupta, Samay Raina win the Amazon original show, awarded prize money of Rs 10 lakh|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/web-series/story/comicstaan-season-2-winners-akash-gupta-samay-raina-win-the-amazon-original-show-awarded-prize-money-of-rs-10-lakh-1581506-2019-08-16|access-date=27 February 2021|work=India Today|language=en|date=16 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Comicstaan season 2: Akash Gupta, Samay Raina crowned as winners of Amazon Prime Video India comedy show |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/comicstaan-season-2-akash-gupta-samay-raina-crowned-as-winners-of-amazon-prime-video-india-comedy-show-7177151.html|access-date=27 February 2021|work=Firstpost|date=17 August 2019}}</ref>

In 2023, Raina performed at the launch party of American DJ KSHMR's album ''KARAM,'' at antiSOCIAL in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kumar |first=Ashish |date=13 February 2025 |title=Fact Check: Samay Raina DIDN’T abuse those asking for an apology, this video is from 2023 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-samay-raina-abuse-apology-video-2023-ranveer-allahbadia-indias-got-latent-2679321-2025-02-13 |magazine=India Today |access-date=23 February 2026}}</ref>

In 2025, he announced a nationwide tour across India, "Still Alive And Unfiltered", which was touted as a comeback, following the controversy surrounding his show, ''India's Got Latent''. The tour commenced in Bengaluru on 15 August and ended in Delhi on 5 October.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina is back with ‘Still Alive and Unfiltered’ India tour after Latent controversy |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/samay-raina-is-back-with-still-alive-and-unfiltered-india-tour-after-latent-controversy-1503465260.html |work=The Statesman |date=1 August 2025 |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina says 40,000 tickets of India tour sold in just an hour: ‘The Love is unreal’ |url=https://www.livemint.com/entertainment/samay-raina-says-40-000-tickets-of-india-tour-sold-in-just-an-hour-the-love-is-unreal-11753893270111.html |work=mint |date=30 July 2025 |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> In 2026, he became one of the youngest Indian comedians to perform at Madison Square Garden, closing his global leg of the tour.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Samay Raina jokes on free speech: India takes the comic, US takes the audience |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/ott/story/samay-raina-in-india-police-take-the-comic-in-the-us-they-take-the-audience-2864233-2026-02-06 |magazine=India Today |date=6 February 2026 |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> On 7 March 2026, he released his debut comedy special, ''Still Alive'', on YouTube, after almost a year of hiatus from the platform,<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2026 |title=Samay Raina returns with new comedy special ‘Still Alive’ after India's Got Latent controversy; fans can't keep calm |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/samay-rain-returns-with-new-comedy-special-still-alive-after-india-got-latent-controversy-fans-cant-keep-calm-101775450051495.html |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Delivering Jokes While In Tears': Samay Raina Breaks Down At 'Still Alive' Show While Recalling Being 'Completely Broken' By India's Got Latent Controversy- Watch VIDEO |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/delivering-jokes-while-in-tears-samay-raina-breaks-down-at-still-alive-show-while-recalling-being-completely-broken-by-indias-got-latent-controversy-watch-video |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mateen |first=Zoya |date=11 April 2026 |title=Samay Raina's Still Alive: A moving second act of the 'cancelled' Indian comic |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrekvml0p6o |work=BBC |access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref> which became the most viewed stand-up comedy special on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina comedy: Still Alive tops global stand-up views on YouTube |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/samay-rainas-still-alive-becomes-most-watched-stand-up-comedy-special-in-the-world-3976850 |work=Deccan Herald |agency=PTI |date=22 April 2026 |access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref>

===YouTube === During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the government cancelled all outdoor events, and thus, Raina could no longer perform stand-up comedy. He then began streaming chess games on his YouTube channel at the fellow comedian Tanmay Bhat's suggestion.<ref name="TOISep2020"/> His viewership boosted when he invited YouTuber Antonio Radić, popularly known as Agadmator, to his channel. In response to this, Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi tweeted that he would like to join Raina on his track. Eventually, Gujrathi appeared on Raina's channel, giving another boost to Raina's viewership. Since then, the two have fostered a strong relationship and frequently feature on each other's channels. Gujrathi attributes his moving from Twitch to YouTube to Raina's suggestion.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} He has also appeared in the music videos for Seedhe Maut's "11K"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trivedi |first=Aaryaman |date=25 June 2024 |title=Kashmiri Duo Straight Outta Srinagar Fire Shots Against Seedhe Maut in Latest Music Video 'Blackball' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/kashmiri-duo-straight-outta-srinagar-fire-shots-against-seedhe-maut-in-latest-music-video-blackball/ |access-date=21 February 2026 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> as well as KRSNA's "Sensitive".<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2025 |title=KR$NA and Seedhe Maut Address 'India's Got Latent' Controversy & Comedy Censorship On 'Sensitive' |url=https://deadant.co/krna-seedhe-maut-comedy-censorship/ |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=Deadant}}</ref>

According to many chess proponents, including GMs Viswanathan Anand, Vidit Gujrathi, Anish Giri, Teimour Radjabov, Baskaran Adhiban, Emil Sutovsky and IMs Tania Sachdev and Sagar Shah, Raina has been instrumental in popularising chess in India through his channel.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 August 2020|title=Mover & shaker: How comedy is redefining chess for a cause|url=https://www.espn.in/chess/story/_/id/29716812/how-indian-stand-comic-samay-raina-redefining-chess-cause|access-date=30 March 2021|website=ESPN|language=en}}</ref> Raina tries to make the game of chess more appealing to the masses through his humour which, according to many, has helped him reach a larger audience.<ref name="TOISep2020">{{cite news |date=5 September 2020 |first1=Prasad |last1=RS |title=We have made chess more consumable for the masses: Samay Raina |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/chess/we-have-made-chess-more-consumable-for-the-masses-samay-raina/articleshow/77950939.cms |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

Several well-known chess personalities like Pentala Harikrishna, Judit Polgár, former world chess champions Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen have appeared on Raina's channel.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=RS |first1=Prasad|title=Anand to take on stand-up comedians in charity match|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/chess/anand-to-take-on-stand-up-comedians-in-charity-match/articleshow/75361393.cms|access-date=27 February 2021|work=The Times of India|language=en|date=24 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Belz|first=Emily|title=The 2020 internet chess carnival - WORLD|url=https://world.wng.org/2020/11/the_2020_internet_chess_carnival|access-date=27 February 2021|website=world.wng.org|language=en|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130080553/https://world.wng.org/2020/11/the_2020_internet_chess_carnival|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2021 |title=Garry Kasparov To Appear On Samay Raina’s Chess Stream |url=https://deadant.co/garry-kasparov-to-appear-on-samay-rainas-chess-stream/ |access-date=21 February 2026 |website=Deadant}}</ref> He also organised chess tournaments featuring Indian celebrities such as cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Viswanathan Anand, Yuzvendra Chahal and others raise Rs 8.86 lakh for waste-pickers community through online chess charity tournament |url=https://www.wionews.com/sports/viswanathan-anand-yuzvendra-chahal-and-others-raise-rs-886-lakh-for-waste-pickers-community-through-online-chess-charity-tournament-295065/amp |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=WION}}</ref> and played chess with actor Aamir Khan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goyal |first=Samarth |date=2 July 2025 |title=Samay Raina takes a dig at Aamir Khan after latter beats him at chess: ‘Kabhi kabhi Laal Singh Chaddha bhi ho jata hai’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/samay-raina-takes-a-dig-at-aamir-khan-after-latter-beats-him-at-chess-kabhi-kabhi-laal-singh-chaddha-bhi-ho-jata-hai-101751435891388.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref>

In addition to chess, he also live streams many other games on his YouTube channel.

=== Chess === Samay plays on Chess.com as "M" Master samayraina also known as (Blunder Master "BM"). {{As of|2026|5|5}}, Raina has a rating of 1621 at rapid chess on chess.com, while the highest recorded rating was 1942 on 3 August 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=M Samay Raina (samayraina) - Chess Profile |url=https://www.chess.com/member/samayraina |website=Chess.com}}</ref> On 5 May 2021, Raina won the $10,000 Botez Bullet Invitational, a one-hour amateur bullet arena tournament sponsored by Chess.com and hosted by the Botez sisters. He was the only Indian streamer competing among some of the top international Twitch streamers and earned $4000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samay Raina wins the $10,000 Botez Bullet Invitational - ChessBase India|url=https://www.chessbase.in/news/Samay-Raina-wins-the-Botez-Bullet-Invitational|access-date=9 May 2021|website=www.chessbase.in|date=6 May 2021}}</ref> In December 2025, he won the SuperPogChamps tournament hosted by chess.com, which featured 12 influencers from all over the world, including Andrea Botez and Sardoche. By winning the title, Samay earned $10,000 (Rs 8.9 lakh approx), the top prize in the Championship Bracket. He donated all of it to the Lidè Haiti to help promote learning, health and well-being for Haitian girls.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2025 |title=Samay Raina beats chess influencers to win SuperPogChamps, donates entire prize to charity: 'I don't want to |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/chess/samay-raina-creates-history-in-superpogchamps-donates-entire-prize-to-charity-13957472.html |access-date=8 December 2025 |website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Comedian Samay Raina wins the Super Pogchamps chess tourney defeating popular streamers, players |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/comedian-samay-raina-wins-the-super-pogchamps-defeating-popular-streamers-chess-players/cid/2136550 |work=Telegraph India |date=6 December 2025 |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref>

'''Chess ratings:'''

# Rapid:1685 as of 12-5-2026 # Blitz:1468 as of 12-5-2026 # Bullet:1442 as of 12-5-2026 # Daily:1004 as of 12-5-2026 # Puzzles:1883 as of 12-5-2026 # Puzzle Rush:52 as of 12-5-2026

==== Comedians on Board (COB) ==== He started organising online chess tournaments on his channel to attract the online audience to chess, called Comedians On Board (COB), inviting many of his comedian friends and other celebrities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Sagar |date=11 November 2020 |title=Comedians on Board 3 comes to an end with Joel D'Souza as the champion |url=https://www.chessbase.in/news/Comedians-on-Board-3-finale |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=ChessBase India}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+Comedians on Board Tournament !Season !Dates !Winner !Runner-up 1 !Runner-up 2 |- |Comedians on Board (COB) #1<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Comedians On Board 1 (COB1)|url=https://comediansonboard.in/comedians-on-board-1-cob1/|access-date=27 February 2021|website=comediansonboard.in|date=14 November 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607173041/https://comediansonboard.in/comedians-on-board-1-cob1/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |29 March-2 Apr 2020 |Aakash Mehta |Kunal Rao | |- |Comedians on Board (COB) #2<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comedians on Board 2 (COB 2)|url=https://comediansonboard.in/comedians-on-board-2-cob-2/|access-date=27 February 2021|website=comediansonboard.in|date=15 November 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607184658/https://comediansonboard.in/comedians-on-board-2-cob-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |1-3 July 2020 |Anirban DasGupta |Samay Raina |Biswa Kalyan Rath |- |Comedians on Board (COB) #3<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comedians on Board 3 (COB 3)|url=https://comediansonboard.in/|access-date=27 February 2021|website=comediansonboard.in|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Navalgund (NiranjanNavalgund) |first=Niranjan |date=23 November 2020 |title=Joel D'Souza Clinches Comedians On Board 3 |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/joel-clinches-comedians-on-board-3 |access-date=21 February 2026 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |19-21 Nov 2020 |Joel Dsouza |Vaibhav Sethia |Samay Raina |- |Comedians on Board All Stars #4<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comedians on Board All Stars|date=25 March 2021|url=https://comediansonboard.in/cob-all-stars/|url-status=dead|access-date=24 October 2021|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024055540/https://comediansonboard.in/cob-all-stars/}}</ref> |22-30 March 2021 |Samay Raina |Biswa Kalyan Rath | |- |Comedians on Board All In #5<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comedians on Board All In|url=https://comediansonboard.in/}}</ref> |11-14 Aug 2021 |Samay Raina |Joel Dsouza |Prakhar Gupta |- |Comedians on Board Gang War (Team Event)<ref>{{Citation |title=COMEDIANS ON BOARD GANG WAR {{!}} GRAND FINALE | date=27 March 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJSnBPGtjMI |language=en |access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref> |21-27 March 2022 |Susha Squad (Team Owner- Suhani Shah) |Wazir-e-Vaibhav (Team Owner- Vaibhav Sethia) |Bot Army (Team Owner- Tanmay Bhat) |- |Comedians on Board: Homecoming<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina Returns To Chess Streaming With Comedians On Board: Homecoming - DeadAnt |url=https://deadant.co/samay-raina-returns-to-chess-streaming-with-comedians-on-board-homecoming/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723182717/https://deadant.co/samay-raina-returns-to-chess-streaming-with-comedians-on-board-homecoming/ |archive-date=23 July 2025 |access-date=21 February 2026 |work=DeadAnt |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina Fails To Defend His Title In Comedians On Board, Tracy Viegas Is The New Champion - DeadAnt |url=https://deadant.co/samay-raina-fails-to-defend-his-title-in-comedians-on-board-tracy-viegas-is-the-new-champion/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250724163120/https://deadant.co/samay-raina-fails-to-defend-his-title-in-comedians-on-board-tracy-viegas-is-the-new-champion/ |archive-date=24 July 2025 |access-date=21 February 2026 |work=DeadAnt |language=en-US}}</ref> |27-29 March 2024 |Tracy Viegas |Vivek Desai |Vaibhav Sethia |}

==== Chess Super League (CSL) ==== Raina with ChessBase India and Nodwin Gaming organised an online chess league called Chess Super League consisting of some of the Top International and Indian Grandmasters, International Masters and Indian Junior Players, competing in six teams of six players each. For the prize pool of {{INRConvert|40|l|lk=off}}. The entire event was streamed on Raina's YouTube Channel.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 October 2021|title=The Chess Super League is here!|url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-chess-super-league-is-here|access-date=10 February 2022|website=Chess News|language=en}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began streaming chess games along with multiple comedians and chess masters. He has raised substantial amounts of money for various causes through his YouTube channel, including help for waste pickers,<ref>{{cite web |title=Charity begins with chess? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/charity-begins-with-chess/story-UHJbOc0DnwcQtNgpIfHlzH.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=29 September 2020 |language=en |date=30 May 2020}}</ref> and relief for West Bengal and Assam flood victims.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mover & shaker: How stand-up comic Samay Raina is redefining chess for a cause |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/chess/story/_/id/29716812/how-indian-stand-comic-samay-raina-redefining-chess-cause |access-date=29 September 2020 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kulkarni (Rakesh) |first1=Rakesh |title=Chess For Charity: Chess for West Bengal, India |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/chess-for-charity-chess-for-west-bengal-india |website=Chess.com|date=June 2020 }}</ref>

== ''India’s Got Latent'' == {{Main|India's Got Latent}} In June 2024, Samay Raina launched ''India's Got Latent'', a reality show focused on uncovering hidden talents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India's Got Latent (2024) - Comedy Show by Samay Raina {{!}} BrownPant |url=https://brownpant.com/shows/indias-got-latent/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title='I Want To Level Up': Samay Raina On His Latest Project 'India's Got Latent' & Pushing The Envelope With His Comedy - DeadAnt |url=https://deadant.co/i-want-to-level-up-samay-raina-on-his-latest-project-indias-got-latent-pushing-the-envelope-with-his-comedy/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=deadant.co/ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://trakt.tv/shows/india-s-got-latent-2024 |title=India's Got Latent |access-date=1 October 2024 |via=trakt.tv}}</ref>

He then ventured into the tech and entertainment space with the launch of his app India's Got Latent, inspired by his YouTube show. Raina said he aimed to eventually transition the platform into a full-fledged OTT service, featuring shows across genres such as poetry, rap, and reality TV. Within hours of launch, the app reached top of the charts on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2025 |title=Comedian Samay Raina launches India's Got Latent app, reaches top of the charts on Apple App Store and Google Play Store |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/comedian-samay-raina-launches-indias-got-latent-app-reaches-top-of-the-charts-on-apple-app-store-and-google-play-store-459966-2025-01-08 |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

=== Abortion tweet controversy === In July 2022, Raina's tweet regarding abortion rights, amidst the overturning of ''Roe v. Wade'', generated controversy and widespread backlash.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2022 |title=Temperatures Rise Over Samay Raina’s Abortion Joke Tweet |url=https://deadant.co/news-temperatures-rise-over-samay-raina-abortion-joke-tweet/ |access-date=21 February 2026 |website=Deadant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 July 2022 |title=Samay Raina's problematic abortion joke and why he is no Ricky Gervais or Dave Chappelle |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/samay-rainas-problematic-abortion-joke-and-why-he-is-no-ricky-gervais-or-dave-chappelle-10887451.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319113636/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/samay-rainas-problematic-abortion-joke-and-why-he-is-no-ricky-gervais-or-dave-chappelle-10887451.html |archive-date=19 March 2025 |access-date=21 February 2026 |work=Firstpost |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title='Disgusting': Comedian Samay Raina Lambasted Over Sexist Joke on Abortions |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/disgusting-comedian-samay-raina-lambasted-over-sexist-joke-on-abortions-5497705.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004090901/https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/disgusting-comedian-samay-raina-lambasted-over-sexist-joke-on-abortions-5497705.html |archive-date=4 October 2025 |access-date=21 February 2026 |work=News18 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial remark on ''India's Got Latent''=== On 10 February 2025, The Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that the Guwahati Police had registered an FIR against Raina as well as other YouTubers, including, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, Ranveer Allahbadia, for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussions on ''India's Got Latent''.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=himantabiswa |author=Himanta Biswa Sarma |author-link=Himanta Biswa Sarma |number=1888955075906961727 |title=Himanta Biswa Sarma's Post on X |date=10 February 2025 |access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Deeksha |first=Gour |date=10 February 2025 |title=Assam Police Book YouTubers Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia And Others As 'India's Got Latent' Comes Under Fire |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/assam-police-file-fir-against-samay-raina-ranveer-allahbadia-apoorva-makhija-and-others-over-obscenity-in-indias-got-latent-10217850 |work=Dainik Jagran |access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref> Sarma also informed that the Guwahati Crime Branch had filed the case under various sections of BNS 2023, the IT Act, 2000, the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sukheja |first=Bhavya |date=14 February 2025 |title=India's Got Latent Row: Who Said What As Samay Raina Forced To Remove All YouTube Episodes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/feature/indias-got-latent-row-who-said-what-as-samay-raina-forced-to-remove-all-youtube-episodes-7708513 |work=NDTV |access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref> He added that the police investigation into the matter was ongoing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mishra |first=Vinay |date=10 February 2025 |title=Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani & Other YouTubers Booked For 'Promoting Obscenity And Engaging In Vulgar Discussion' In Guwahati, Says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ranveer-allahbadia-samay-raina-ashish-chanchlani-other-youtubers-booked-for-promoting-obscenity-and-engaging-in-vulgar-discussion-in-guwahati-says-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma |work=Free Press Journal |access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref> The issue was also raised in the Zero Hour of Parliament, with concerns raised about regulating platforms like YouTube.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Trouble mounts for Ranveer Allahbadia & others linked to Samay Raina's show: Top developments |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/trouble-mounts-for-ranveer-allahbadia-others-linked-to-samay-rainas-show-indias-got-latent-top-developments/articleshow/118151638.cms |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |date=11 February 2025 |access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> Later, the video was removed following objections from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).<ref>{{cite news |title=Samay Raina deletes all videos of controversial show India's Got Latent, says 'only objective was to make people laugh' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/samay-raina-deletes-all-videos-of-controversial-show-indias-got-latent-only-objective-make-people-laugh-9832770/ |work=The Indian Express |date=13 February 2025 |access-date=13 February 2025}}</ref> The Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the YouTuber's comment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jaiswal |first=Arushi |date=10 February 2025 |title=Maharashtra CM Fadnavis condemns YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's remarks, NHRC takes action |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/maharashtra/ranveer-allahbadia-maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-condemns-youtuber-remarks-nhrc-takes-action-latest-updates-2025-02-10-975583 |work=India TV News |access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> This concluded in the removal of his show from YouTube.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina removes all 'India's Got Latent' episodes, says will cooperate with agencies |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/samay-raina-removes-all-indias-got-latent-episodes-says-will-cooperate-with-agencies/article69212418.ece |work=The Hindu |agency=PTI |date=13 February 2025 |access-date=6 July 2025}}</ref>

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes !Ref. |- |2019 |''Comicstaan 2'' |Contestant |Winner |<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 August 2019|title=Comicstaan 2 winner Samay Raina: It was strategy to save my best for the last|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/comicstaan-2-winner-samay-raina-5912770/|access-date=7 October 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |''Comedy Premium League'' |Contestant |Winner |<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 August 2021|title=Comedy Premium League review: The closest India will get to a Saturday Night Live|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/comedy-premium-league-review-the-closest-india-will-get-to-a-saturday-night-live-7463321/|access-date=7 October 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> |- |''One Mic Stand'' |Himself |Season 2; Episode 5 |<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amazon Prime Video announces mentors for One Mic Stand Season 2|date=12 October 2021|url=https://english.press24.in/2021/10/12/amazon-prime-video-announces-mentors-for-one-mic-stand-season-2-amazon-prime-video-announces-one-mic-stand-mentors/|access-date=24 October 2021|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024055540/https://english.press24.in/2021/10/12/amazon-prime-video-announces-mentors-for-one-mic-stand-season-2-amazon-prime-video-announces-one-mic-stand-mentors/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2024–2025 |''India's Got Latent'' |Host/Judge |All episodes |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanzgiri |first=Shantanu |date=25 June 2024 |title='I Want To Level Up': Samay Raina On His Latest Project 'India's Got Latent' & Pushing The Envelope With His Comedy |url=https://deadant.co/i-want-to-level-up-samay-raina-on-his-latest-project-indias-got-latent-pushing-the-envelope-with-his-comedy/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=Deadant}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2|2025 |''Kaun Banega Crorepati'' |Himself |As a contestant with Tanmay Bhat |<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samay Raina jokes about Sooryavansham, sneaking into Amitabh Bachchan's bungalow Jalsa on Kaun Banega Crorepati. Watch |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/samay-raina-tanmay-bhat-bhuvan-bam-guests-on-amitabh-bachchan-kaun-banega-crorepati-16-watch-101738200802210.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=30 January 2025 |access-date=22 February 2026}}</ref> |- |''Ekaki'' |RJ Samay |Voice cameo in Episode 3 |{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} |- | rowspan="2" |2026 |''Still Alive'' |Himself |Comedy special |<ref>{{Cite web |title='Delivering Jokes While In Tears': Samay Raina Breaks Down At 'Still Alive' Show While Recalling Being 'Completely Broken' By India's Got Latent Controversy- Watch VIDEO |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/delivering-jokes-while-in-tears-samay-raina-breaks-down-at-still-alive-show-while-recalling-being-completely-broken-by-indias-got-latent-controversy-watch-video |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref> |- |''The Great Indian Kapil Show'' |Himself |Special episode, appeared as a guest alongside Ranveer Allahbadia |<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Great Indian Kapil Show to host Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia in a special episode; Kapil Sharma promises laughter-filled fun |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/the-great-indian-kapil-show-special-episode-to-feature-samay-raina-and-ranveer-allahbadia-for-a-laugher-riot/articleshow/130639641.cms |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |date=30 April 2026 |access-date=1 May 2026}}</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name}} * [https://www.chess.com/member/samayraina Samay Raina] member profile at Chess.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raina, Samay}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Kashmiri Pandits Category:Indian stand-up comedians Category:Indian male comedians Category:Indian comedy YouTubers Category:Indian gaming YouTubers