By Chandran Iyer
The recent controversy surrounding YouTuber and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, has sparked a heated debate on free speech, media responsibility, and the selective outrage of the public. While Allahbadia’s comments on the YouTube talent show India’s Got Latent were widely condemned for their crude and offensive nature, the intensity of the backlash he has faced raises important questions about societal double standards.
The 3 Idiots Parallel: A Question of Inconsistency
The outrage against Allahbadia stands in stark contrast to the reception of similar content in mainstream cinema. One of the most iconic yet problematic comedic moments in Bollywood history comes from 3 Idiots, a film celebrated for its humor and social messaging. In a now-infamous scene, Chatur Ramalingam’s speech—manipulated by the protagonist Rancho—substitutes the word Chamatkar (miracle) with Balatkar (rape), turning a serious crime into a punchline.
Despite the fact that rape is one of the most heinous crimes in India—ranked as the fourth most common crime against women—the scene in 3 Idiots was widely accepted and even celebrated as comedic genius. The film went on to win multiple awards, including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 57th National Film Awards. This raises an important question: Why was such content normalized in a blockbuster film, while a tasteless remark by an influencer is met with legal action and calls for career destruction?
Ranveer Allahbadia: From Influencer to Controversy Magnet
Allahbadia, a 31-year-old digital entrepreneur with a successful podcast and YouTube channel boasting over eight million subscribers, built a career interviewing global icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Priyanka Chopra. His brand collaborations with companies like Sony, Skechers, and Spotify positioned him as one of India’s top influencers. In April 2024, he was even honored as “Disrupter of the Year” at the National Creators Awards, standing alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, on February 8, 2025, his trajectory took a sharp turn. During his appearance as a judge on India’s Got Latent, he posed an inappropriate and offensive question to a contestant, triggering massive outrage. Social media erupted in criticism, police complaints were filed, and death threats followed. His follower count on Instagram reportedly dropped by nearly 50,000, and calls for a boycott of his content gained momentum. YouTube removed the controversial episode, but the damage to his reputation had already been done.
Legal and Industry Responses
The backlash escalated when the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned Allahbadia’s remarks and called for a boycott of those associated with the show. The Mumbai Police reportedly summoned both Allahbadia and comedian Samay Raina, the show’s host. While Allahbadia issued a public apology, the authorities continued their probe, prompting India’s Supreme Court to intervene.
The controversy even reached the corridors of power, with a parliamentary panel urging amendments to existing laws to regulate online content. Some lawmakers have since called for stricter regulation of social media platforms, raising concerns about potential overreach and government control over digital expression.
The Question of Proportionality
There is no doubt that Allahbadia’s comments were in poor taste and deserved criticism. It deserved to be condemned in the strongest words. But should be be put into jail for this mistake? The response he has received appears disproportionately severe. The legal scrutiny and the aggressive public condemnation starkly contrast with the widespread acceptance of similar or worse content in Bollywood.
The hypocrisy becomes even more evident when examining the Indian film industry’s reaction. While the industry has historically tolerated problematic portrayals of gender and sexuality on screen, it was quick to denounce Allahbadia, despite having benefited from content that trivializes serious social issues.
A Call for Consistency
The Allahbadia controversy highlights the need for consistent standards when evaluating public speech. If society is to hold influencers accountable for their words, the same level of scrutiny must apply to mainstream media. Selective outrage—where one individual is vilified while another is celebrated for similar actions—undermines the credibility of moral arguments.
It is also crucial to separate critique from disproportionate punishment. While Allahbadia’s remarks warrant condemnation, treating him like a criminal, barring him from traveling, and calling for his career’s destruction seem excessive. True accountability should be about fostering responsible discourse, not about ruining individuals over a single misstep.
Conclusion
The outrage over Allahbadia’s comments is a reminder that society must confront its own biases and inconsistencies. Before pointing fingers at individuals, there must be a collective reflection on the normalization of problematic content in entertainment. If real change is to happen, accountability must be applied uniformly across industries and platforms.
As India navigates the complex landscape of digital speech and media responsibility, it must ensure that the pursuit of justice does not turn into a selective witch hunt. Criticism must be fair, proportionate, and applied consistently—only then can a truly just and inclusive society be fostered.
