“We Should Learn to Laugh at Ourselves”: Manoj Bajpayee Breaks Silence on Samay Raina’s ‘India’s Got Latent’ Controversy
In a candid response to the growing discourse surrounding comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show, India’s Got Latent 2, acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee has weighed in on the fine line between comedy and offense.
The controversy erupted following a segment on the show where Raina engaged in a banter-filled exchange with participant Sharon Verma, which included humor directed at their respective regional roots. As the clip went viral, it ignited a heated debate online regarding the nature of stereotypical humor and its impact on regional identities.
Encouraging a Healthy Sense of Humor
Speaking during the promotional rounds for his upcoming project, Last Man in Tower, Bajpayee emphasized that context and intent are paramount when it comes to comedy.
“If it is all in jest, I actually don’t mind it,” the actor told IANS. “We should learn to laugh at ourselves and laugh together, laugh at each other, and still not be hurt and offended. We should have humor about ourselves, but at the same time, we should have respect—not only for ourselves but also for the person sitting across from us and their background. It’s very, very important.”
Bajpayee noted that when two individuals share a rapport and comfort level, mutual teasing often becomes a form of connection rather than an insult.
Drawing from Personal Experience
Reflecting on his own life, the Family Man star recounted his early days in Delhi as an 18-year-old. He shared an anecdote about a bus driver who rudely scolded him for attempting to board through the front door, shouting, “Aye Bihari, board from the back gate!”
“He didn’t know I was from Bihar, but as it turned out, I actually was,” Bajpayee recalled. “He used ‘Bihari’ as a catch-all for anyone committing a mistake. I didn’t mind it because he was technically right about my origin and I was new to the city’s rules. Later on, when I made friends from different states, we used to laugh at those very stereotypes.”
The actor concluded that while humor is essential for a “healthy society,” the line is drawn when such tropes are used to marginalize or demonize a community. “There is a problem if somebody coming from somewhere becomes a target or a burden for the community. Till then, we should be able to laugh at each other and ourselves.”
Looking Ahead
Beyond his commentary on cultural discourse, Bajpayee remains focused on his upcoming professional slate. He is set to star in the highly anticipated film Last Man In Tower, directed by Ben Rakhi. Co-starring veteran actors Boman Irani and Divya Dutta, the project is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 11, 2026.
