Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, who grabbed headlines earlier this year over his "sex with parents" remark, appeared on the Piers Morgan Uncensored talk show recently for a debate over the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict and made a passionate case for India. He shared the panel with journalist Barkha Dutt, Pakistan's former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Hina Khar, and Pakistani podcaster Shehzad Ghias Shaikh.
On the show, Allahbadia held up pictures of Osama bin Laden, who was found 800 metres from a military base in Pakistan, and terrorist Abdul Rauf, who was photographed along with the Pakistani military, and said that the country exported terrorism.
The podcaster's appearance and performance on the show have both surprised and impressed online commentators, with several wondering if this was his redemption.
"I thought Ranveer Allahbadia did a very good job on the Piers Uncensored debate. It was telling that neither of the two Pakistani guests could accept the presence of or condemn LeT and JeM on their soil," commented Sunil Purohit (@SunilPurohitCFO). "Ranveer Allahbadia redeemed himself and also made quite good points. Well done," @ayanohere wrote on X. Another user Nirmaljeet Singh (@gurusatsriakal) wrote, "Ranveer did well here Pakistanis have no justification of Osama Bin Laden enjoying vacation 800m away from their military academy."
Some social media users, however, were convinced that Allahbadia's remarks were a well-rehearsed PR stunt to repair his image.
"He doesn’t always act like it, but he is quite smart. This is part of his PR resurgence strategy (nothing wrong with that). How Prakhar Gupta’s video went viral in the west and got him praise here, he’s trying to do something similar," commented Hitanshu (@hitanshu714). X user Mandar (@InsightsDen) wrote, "I don't really like him and his podcast, but I won't expect any sane indian to talk against Indian interest in international media. Pappu's are rare." A third user remarked, "Yep, even a broken clock is right two times a day and Ranveer was that in debate."
Nevertheless, an excerpt from the show featuring Allahbadia that Piers Morgan shared on X is viral, with more than five lakh views.
In February, Allahbadia, also known by his moniker Beer Biceps, was embroiled in a massive row after making crude comments about parents and sex on comedian Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent. It led to widespread backlash and multiple FIRs being filed against them. The social media influencer also lost a substantial number of followers and brand deals.
Allahbadia has since apologised and expressed regret for his comments.
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