Comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi’s Lucknow shows cancelled amid Ranveer Allahbadia-India's Got Latent controversy after SCW raises objections

This development comes at a time when debates about content regulation in comedy and digital entertainment are intensifying.

Stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi’s scheduled comedy shows in Lucknow have been reportedly cancelled following objections raised by the Uttar Pradesh State Women's Commission (SCW). The commission expressed concerns over the alleged use of "indecent words" and the possibility of "undignified comments" about women in his performances.

According to reports, SCW's vice-chairperson, Aparna Yadav, formally requested the Director General of Police (DGP) to cancel Bassi’s shows, stating that such content should not be allowed in public performances. Following this, the Uttar Pradesh police denied permission for his event, citing the need to maintain law and order.

This development comes at a time when debates about content regulation in comedy and digital entertainment are intensifying. The cancellation of Bassi’s shows follows recent controversy surrounding YouTuber and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on comedian Samay Raina’s show, India's Got Latent, which sparked backlash and legal scrutiny.

The controversy has ignited a storm of debates on social media, with netizens questioning the perceived double standards in content regulation. Many online users have drawn comparisons to Ekta Kapoor’s television dramas and reality shows like Bigg Boss, arguing that such content has often been more provocative yet has not faced similar scrutiny. The issue gained traction after Samay confirmed that he had taken down all episodes of his show, India’s Got Latent, from YouTube, following public outcry over a remark made by Ranveer.

The viral clip that triggered the backlash featured Ranveer making a remark about parents and sex, which some viewers deemed inappropriate. The outrage led to multiple police complaints and widespread criticism of both him and Samay.