In the show, Allahabadia said, “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever.” Post the controversy, Ranveer Allahabadia took to his Instagram handle to share a video. In the video, he apologised for his comment and said, “Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry.”
Comedy is undoubtedly in demand in the entertainment industry, which now encompasses a variety of media like movies, television or over-the-top (OTT) shows and digital material. Who doesn't enjoy a good joke? Nevertheless, the quality of popular comedy has steadily declined over time, despite the fact that box office results demonstrate that comedy's dumbing down and directors' tendency to rely on dullness have frequently paid off.
Digital content makers, whose numbers have increased recently, may have observed this. These producers have the problem of grabbing viewers' or followers' attention, keeping them interested, and getting them to return to check their work later because they are competing for the attention of a diverse and wide-ranging audience with a short attention span. A wider discussion on free speech, so-called "dark humor," and content policing of digital platforms like social media and over-the-top (OTT) has also been triggered by it.
The witticisms of Tenali Rama in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya or Birbal in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar define the history of comedy in India. The 'Hasya Kavi' Sammelan, or hilarious poetry sessions, will be remembered by those who grew up watching Doordarshan. Peak humor was defined as poetic jabs at the corruption and dispensation in our everyday life.
People like Vir Das, who combined political humor, social commentary, and cultural observations, introduced the Western concept of stand-up comedy to the Indian audience.
The public roasts hosted by the AIB (All India Bakchod), in which a group of comedians subjected their "victim" to jests and teasing, were the first indication of vulgarity in stand-up comedy approximately ten years ago. More than ever, the jokes went too far.
Dark humor with Western influences began to gain popularity and grew popular among young people. In the guise of amusement and free speech, vulgar comments and foul language were disguising themselves as humor, and Bollywood celebrities seemed to participate in.
Everything went haywire when AIB posted these broadcasts to YouTube for a larger audience. The use of vulgar content spreads. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar's 'Internet in India 2024' report projects that by 2025, there will be more than 900 million active Internet users in India. Social media, online communication, and the consumption of OTT (over-the-top) material, such as music and videos, are common online pastimes.
'The Ranveer Show' is the podcast that made Allahbadia famous. On social media, he has more than 16 million followers. Millions of people watch Raina's 'India's Got Latent,' particularly children, including those enrolled in school. According to Dr. Sajeela Maini, senior consultant psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, "Influencers with millions of followers, in particular, have a great impact on the mindset of the youth and the teenage population who idolize them and perceive them as heroes."
"Crude jokes, sexist comments, abuses, and inappropriate humor become fashionable and ingrained in their way of life. She claims that this promotes toxic masculinity and has an effect on the language and communication of the young people. The stuff that kids and teens are seeing online has created a new age issue that needs to be addressed right away, as people of all ages are exposed to the internet. Consider the kind of audience these comedians, YouTubers, and podcasters have.
Peer pressure drives curious school-age youngsters to view explicit digital content without their parent's knowledge. Having such a large fan base has brought in money. In the realm of digital marketing, comedy influencers are gaining a lot of attention. They have developed into effective marketing tools for converting high consumption rates because of their big fan following.
There are many more in the works, and they don't hesitate to employ crude content. It's not just the current group. Young people and children use their language on a daily basis. They are viewed as "uncool" by those who do not watch or follow them. They are invited to college festivals since they are so well-liked by young people. Stand-up comedian Yash Rathi was ordered to stop performing at IIT Bhilai's annual festival in November of last year due to his use of profanity and foul language.
Additionally, young people have access to unmonitored streaming, or OTT, content.
"Harmful language and behavior can become less objectionable if they are exposed to crude humor or abusive language all the time."They begin to accept inappropriate behavior as 'normal' and even lose empathy for hurting other people," Dr. Maini explains. "Offensive humor is typically cruel and frequently consists of body shaming and ridiculing other people. Because it normalizes inappropriate behavior, this is harmful to society.
Everyone can see that self-control hasn't been effective. Such a detrimental social impact was not anticipated by the Union authorities. It made a mistake by failing to monitor content on internet platforms and frame laws. On these series, there have been multiple cases of competitors and panellists going too far, sparking controversy.
Many Members of Parliament expressed shock and fury when the Allahbadia controversy made it to parliament. The Center must implement regulations for digital media that strike a balance between content management and free speech.
Indians don't seem to understand the concept of dark humor. They consider any humor that contains racist or misogynistic remarks to be dark humor. The truly funny kind of comedy, which is regarded as one of the oldest art forms, requires talent, intelligence, creativity, and exceptional performance abilities. Comedy that dares to be both stupid and clever, and that doesn't confuse outrage for bravery and originality, is what the stand-up comedians and internet creators that dominate the comedy industry today should strive for if they want more than simply the approval of clicks.