In the world of comedy today, things seem to have taken a dark turn, one that’s difficult to ignore. What once was a space for joy and laughter has increasingly become a platform for toxic behavior, misogyny, and the perpetuation of harmful ideologies.
If comedy used to be a way to bring people together, to laugh at the absurdities of life, it’s now often a space where boundaries are not just pushed but obliterated. Some creators seem to think that shock value is the key to success, but what they’re truly offering is nothing short of toxic filth, disguised as comedy. The worst part? This garbage is no longer confined to adults. It’s reaching young, impressionable minds who are learning to view misogyny, disrespect, and dark humor as the norm.
The Rise of a Dangerous Trend
One of the most glaring examples of this concerning trend can be seen in Samay Raina’s comedy show India Got Latent. The show, in and of itself, should be a red flag for anyone who believes that comedy should uplift and entertain. In a recent episode, Ranveer Allahbadia, better known for his online persona as BeerBiceps, appeared on the show. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s essentially an internet guru who dispenses self-help advice mixed with a large dose of obnoxious self-promotion. But what was even more troubling was his behavior during the show.
During a segment, Allahbadia posed an utterly vile question to a female contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents having sex for the rest of your life or join them and stop it forever?” Yes, you read that right—this is the level of ‘humor’ being passed off as entertainment. The question wasn’t just tasteless; it was disgusting. And here’s the real kicker: it wasn’t even framed as “adult content.” This was presented in front of an audience that includes teenagers, young adults, and anyone who happens to scroll past. The question wasn’t just a poorly timed attempt at shock humor; it’s part of a wider, more troubling culture of normalizing inappropriate, dangerous, and misogynistic behavior.
What’s truly alarming is that these influencers and so-called comedians have managed to cultivate a cult following, particularly among teenagers. This audience is vulnerable and impressionable, still figuring out their place in the world. Yet, they are constantly bombarded with this kind of content, and what’s worse, they are encouraged to internalize it. The result? A generation being misled into thinking that dark, inappropriate jokes about incest, rape, and objectifying women are funny.
The Problem with a Generation Raised on Trash
Today’s youth is consuming content at an alarming rate, and much of it is being served by these so-called influencers. These influencers, with their millions of followers, are in a position of power, and with that power comes responsibility. But instead of guiding the younger generation towards positive values or constructive content, these creators are indoctrinating their followers into a world of disrespect, degradation, and toxic masculinity.
These influencers, like Allahbadia, seem to believe that crossing boundaries is the secret to creating viral content. The reality, however, is that they are setting a dangerous precedent. Their ‘jokes’ aren’t just jokes—they’re a reflection of deeply ingrained misogyny and entitlement. The normalization of such behavior under the guise of ‘dark humor’ leads young people to think that it’s okay to make fun of others, to degrade them, or to objectify them for cheap laughs. And that’s the problem. It’s not just about laughing at a joke; it’s about what those jokes teach.
Consider this: how many young people today think it’s perfectly fine to make jokes about rape, incest, or the humiliation of others because they’ve seen it on their screens and thought it was funny? How many young girls are growing up thinking that their worth is tied to how well they can laugh along to these jokes at their own expense? When the content that’s pushed by these creators revolves around the objectification of women or promoting toxic ideologies, the consequences are far-reaching. It becomes ingrained in the way these young individuals see the world, relationships, and themselves.
The Nostalgia of Real Comedy
But it wasn’t always like this. There was a time when comedy was actually funny without being disrespectful. Back in the day, we could watch a comedy show with our families—grandparents, parents, children—and all share a laugh without feeling uncomfortable or disgusted. Comedians like Johnny Walker, Mehmood, and others brought joy to the masses without ever crossing the line. Their humor was intelligent, subtle, and most importantly, kind.
Comedy back then had substance. It didn’t rely on humiliating others or exploiting uncomfortable topics for laughs. It wasn’t about tearing people down but about observing the lighter, funnier side of life. It was universal—something everyone, regardless of age or background, could enjoy. But today, comedy has become about pushing boundaries, to the point of making people squirm in discomfort. The more shocking, the better, right? But here’s the twist: it’s not really comedy anymore. It’s simply shock value in the form of misogynistic rhetoric, verbal abuse, and tasteless humor that offers nothing except for cheap, fleeting laughs.
Javed Akhtar: A Voice of Reason
In this landscape of chaotic, tasteless comedy, we do have a voice of reason—Javed Akhtar. The iconic poet and lyricist has openly criticized the shallow nature of modern humor. In a recent interview, Akhtar described how comedy has shifted from a source of joy to a tool for shock value. He pointed out that humor today often relies on crude language and insults, something he likens to the overuse of chili in food. It burns, it’s overwhelming, and it’s unnecessary. And yet, people consume it because it’s become the norm.
Akhtar’s criticism couldn’t be more apt. He’s calling out the likes of Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and others who use vulgarity in place of wit, humor, or cleverness. It’s not comedy anymore; it’s just cruelty dressed up as entertainment. The true art of comedy—nuanced, intelligent, and uplifting—has been replaced by a form of verbal abuse that serves no purpose except to degrade.
The Ideological Corruption of Modern Comedy
These influencers, like Allahbadia, don’t just promote harmful humor—they also spread toxic ideologies. Alongside their ‘humor,’ they often sprinkle in nationalism, spirituality, and other questionable beliefs, as if their toxic content is somehow justified by these other elements. It’s a cocktail of harmful views that’s impossible to ignore.
Much like spiritual gurus who use their platform to manipulate their followers, these creators are also exploiting their audience’s vulnerabilities. They know that their followers, often younger and impressionable, are looking for guidance, for answers. Instead of offering something meaningful, these influencers are peddling misogyny, nationalism, and cultural regurgitation as wisdom.
It’s no different from the spiritual leaders who use their status to manipulate people for their own gain. The only difference is that these ‘comedians’ do it while wearing hoodies instead of saffron robes. They exploit their followers’ gullibility, perpetuating harmful ideologies and pocketing the profits from their loyal fanbase.
A Call for Accountability
What’s most frustrating about this entire situation is the lack of accountability. These content creators continue to spew offensive material without facing any real consequences. Their content reaches millions of people—many of whom are young and impressionable—without any checks or balances in place. Meanwhile, these creators continue to profit from their harmful content, while the rest of society is left to pick up the pieces.
This isn’t just about bad jokes—it’s about the moral corrosion of an entire generation. A generation that is learning that respect, dignity, and kindness aren’t important as long as you get likes, views, and shares. That the breakdown of decency is the price to pay for viral fame. And for what? A few fleeting moments of internet fame? Is that really the legacy we want to leave for the next generation?
The Bottom Line: Choose Better
At the end of the day, it’s up to us, as individuals and as a society, to decide what we consume. Instead of watching the filth being passed off as humor, we can choose to watch something that elevates us, that encourages meaningful thought and empathy. Whether it’s spending time with family, reading a book, or enjoying some wholesome entertainment, there’s a lot more to life than scrolling through toxic content.
Let’s stop glorifying content creators who perpetuate harmful ideologies and promote disrespect under the guise of comedy. Let’s take a stand and demand better—not just for ourselves, but for the future generations who will inherit this world. We don’t need more Ranveer Allahbadias or Samay Rainas. What we need are more Javed Akhtars.