Singer Kailash Kher has spoken out amid the controversy surrounding comedian Samay Raina and Sharon Verma over jokes involving Biharis and Kashmiri Pandits on India’s Got Latent 2. Kher stressed that comedy and creativity should be accompanied by awareness, discipline and respect.
Speaking to ANI, Kher was asked about comedians making jokes related to Biharis and Kashmiri Pandits and the larger debate over the boundaries of stand-up comedy.
Kailash Kher stresses the importance of ‘tameez’
Kher used music to explain his perspective on comedy and creative expression. He said that music is not merely about creating a tune but is also a form of discipline. According to him, when the fundamentals are not right, an artistic performance can end up becoming hurtful to someone.
Drawing a parallel with public conversations, the singer said people should remain “chaitanye” or aware and should maintain “tameez” while speaking to others.
Kher emphasised that people should know how to express themselves, make others laugh and connect with audiences without unnecessarily hurting anyone’s feelings.
He also reflected on his own experience in the public eye, saying that criticism, hatred and jealousy are part of a public figure’s journey. According to him, such experiences can also make a person realise how far they have travelled in their career.
What happened between Samay Raina and Sharon Verma?
The controversy stems from an episode of India’s Got Latent 2 featuring Samay Raina, Sharon Verma, Orry, Archana Puran Singh and Nishant Suri.
Verma, who had earlier appeared as a contestant on the show’s first season, returned as a panellist. During a conversation, she and Raina exchanged jokes about each other’s backgrounds.
The exchange began with references to Verma’s Bihari identity and eventually moved towards Raina’s Kashmiri background.
Raina made a joke referring to stereotypes associated with Bihar and migration to Mumbai for employment. Verma responded with a remark connected to Kashmir and the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley.
The exchange appeared to be a back-and-forth between the two comedians. However, clips from the episode subsequently circulated on social media and attracted criticism, particularly because the jokes touched upon sensitive subjects involving regional identity, migration and the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits.
Political reactions add to controversy
The episode has also drawn political attention.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey criticised the comedians and argued that comedy should not involve references to caste, religion or specific states. He accused Raina of crossing the line in his jokes and questioned the use of sensitive social issues for entertainment.
BJP leader Ram Kadam also criticised remarks that, according to him, could hurt religious or social sentiments. He called for stronger legal provisions against such content and argued that creative freedom should not become an excuse for deliberately offending people’s beliefs.
The reactions have added another dimension to the debate over the limits of stand-up comedy and whether comedians should be held accountable when jokes involve sensitive historical or social issues.
Debate over comedy and responsibility
Kailash Kher’s comments have come at a time when the boundaries of comedy are once again being debated online.
Stand-up comedy often relies on satire, exaggeration and provocative observations. However, jokes involving historical trauma, displacement, religion, caste or regional stereotypes can evoke particularly strong reactions.
Kher did not directly call for a ban on comedy or specifically condemn either Raina or Verma. Instead, his message centred on the importance of awareness and courtesy while communicating.
His emphasis on being “chaitanye” and maintaining “tameez” suggests that performers can retain creative freedom while also being conscious of how their words may affect others.
Samay Raina and Sharon Verma yet to respond
As the controversy continues to generate discussion online, neither Samay Raina nor Sharon Verma has publicly responded to the criticism surrounding their exchange.
Meanwhile, Kher’s comments have brought renewed attention to the larger question of where the line should be drawn between humour and offence.
For many observers, the controversy is not only about two comedians exchanging jokes but also about the responsibility that comes with using real communities, identities and historical experiences as material for entertainment.
