Comedian Samay Raina is facing fresh criticism after a recent episode of India’s Got Latent 2 featured a sharp exchange with comedian and judge Sharon Verma over their regional roots. What began as a roast quickly turned into a talking point on social media. During the episode, Raina took a dig at Verma’s Bihari background, prompting her to respond with a pointed comeback. Verma, known for incorporating her Bihar identity into her comedy, turned the joke around and received applause from the panel and audience. The conversation then moved towards their Kashmiri and Bihari identities, with Raina referring to his own Kashmiri Pandit background.

Verma also responded in Kashmiri while touching upon the sensitive history associated with the community and migration from the Valley. Clips from the exchange soon spread across social media, with viewers divided over whether the segment was simply part of the show's roast style humour or crossed a line by referring to sensitive regional and community issues. The controversy grew after political voices criticised Raina's remarks. BJP leaders accused the comedian of making controversial statements for attention, with the phrase “publicity for free” becoming part of the online debate.

Supporters of the comedians, meanwhile, argued that the interaction was part of the show's established format, where performers regularly roast one another and turn personal backgrounds into jokes. Some social media users also praised Verma for responding confidently rather than backing away from the exchange. The latest controversy adds to the ongoing debate surrounding Raina's brand of comedy and the limits of edgy humour. While supporters see such exchanges as satire and roast comedy, critics argue that jokes involving ethnicity, regional identity and traumatic historical experiences require greater sensitivity. As clips continue to circulate online, the Bihari Kashmiri exchange has once again placed India’s Got Latent at the centre of a debate over comedy, controversy and where the line should be drawn.