Akaash Singh, the Indian-American comedian known for his fearless humor, has spoken out in defense of fellow comedians Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps, and stand-up artist Samay Raina. Amidst mounting criticism on social media, Singh took a firm stance, reinforcing his belief that comedians should have the creative freedom to push boundaries without fear of backlash.
Singh, who gained prominence with his stand-up special Gaslit and his viral interview with former US President Donald Trump on Flagrant, addressed the controversy on Twitter. Responding to accusations that Allahbadia and Raina’s jokes were vulgar and inappropriate, Singh tweeted, “Was this not clear? I endorse the jokes of @ReheSamay, @BeerBicepsGuy, and EVERY comedian in India. And to my Indian fans who ask why I only do pop-up shows there, this story is why. I gotta weed out morons like the ones offended by this COMPLETELY harmless joke.”
His strong words highlight the ongoing debate between comedic expression and cultural sensitivities in India. While stand-up comedy in the country has seen rapid growth, comedians frequently find themselves embroiled in controversies over their content. Some audiences argue that certain jokes cross moral and ethical lines, while others advocate for absolute creative freedom.
The conversation took another turn when a social media user suggested that vulgarity in stand-up comedy and OTT content should be heavily fined, even proposing penalties of ₹5 crore per offensive word. Singh, known for his unfiltered style, responded with an expletive-laden rebuttal, further fueling the discourse on censorship versus artistic liberty.
When another critic accused Singh of defending “filthy” comedians like Ranveer Allahbadia, he responded with a simple, “Nah.” His blunt approach reflects his unwillingness to conform to what he perceives as moral policing of the comedy industry.
Tough question. I think watching forever is better than joining once. But thanks for asking a hilarious hypothetical. https://t.co/WEmf7V7sUP
— Akaash Singh (@AkaashSingh) February 13, 2025
Adding to the discussion, Singh also directly supported Allahbadia, tweeting: “@BeerBicepsGuy is family. I don’t know what people are coming after him for, and I don’t give a f**. I’m riding with him.”* His endorsement of Allahbadia and Raina underscores his broader stance that comedians should not be targeted for their content.
Samay Raina rose to fame after winning Comicstaan, an Indian stand-up comedy competition. He later merged comedy with chess streaming, gaining a loyal following on YouTube. Like many Indian comedians, Raina’s material often includes satire and observational humor. However, he has faced criticism from conservative audiences who argue that stand-up should remain “clean.”
Ranveer Allahbadia, better known as Beer Biceps, started as a fitness influencer before transitioning into self-improvement, business, and motivational content. His podcast, The Ranveer Show, has hosted prominent personalities from Bollywood stars to spiritual leaders. Recently, he has been criticized for allegedly spreading misinformation and sensationalizing content for engagement.
Akaash Singh’s vocal defense of his fellow comedians reflects a broader global debate on the role of stand-up comedy in challenging societal norms. While some believe humor should be unrestricted, others argue for greater responsibility in content creation. Singh’s stance, however, makes one thing clear—he is not backing down.
