Comedian Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent returned with its second season on Saturday, featuring actors Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as guests in the opening episode. However, the premiere drew mixed reactions online, with some viewers saying the show had lost the raw and unfiltered energy that made the first season popular.

The response came despite Raina’s earlier promise that the new season would remain “same to same” after expanding to Netflix alongside YouTube. He had said both platforms would carry the episode with the same runtime and content, with the only difference being the absence of advertisements and comments on Netflix.

Viewers Criticise Tone and Promotional Content

A section of viewers complained that the humour in the opening episode appeared toned down and overly scripted.

One user wrote, “Lowkey I feel Samay Raina ka comedy aur dark humour season 1 me hi reh gaya.. The only joke is how he can’t make people laugh without aping the language with abuses. No gaali = No latent Season 2 is proof this dude has no actual comedy skills. Just cheap vulgarity for cheap claps from an equally cheap audience (sic).”

Another viewer listed several complaints, saying the episode had “No comedy”, “Unnecessary claps”, “Unnecessary laughs”, and that it “promoted Alia’s movie Alpha 50 times.”

The same post alleged that the show had become “More PR than comedy”, relied on forced reactions and repeatedly attempted to create viral moments.

“This show proved that Samay Raina comedy isn’t much without abuses. Expected better after all the controversy and comeback (sic),” the user added.

Some viewers also felt the opening episode lacked the carefree quality that had helped the show become a phenomenon.

Some Fans Remain Optimistic

Not all reactions were negative, with several viewers praising specific moments from the episode.

One user wrote, “#SamayRaina is back and how. He is taking a dig at #AliaBhatt’s Jigra, and Cannes Event- ‘Here all cameras will be on you.’ Alpha star Alia and Sharvari are attending the first episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2 (sic).”

Another viewer suggested that Raina had deliberately toned things down for the first episode.

“He kind of filtered himself too much on the show i feel but i think being the first show he wanted to keep it normal, but i think banging episodes coming soon (sic),” the user wrote.

A separate viewer identified a Donald Trump parody segment as the standout moment of the episode.

“Bro really caused emotional damage with one line and got celebrated with a party popper. The second-hand embarrassment at that desk is loud enough to hear on mute. India’s Got Latent is purely unhinged (sic),” the post read.

Raina Promised a ‘No Filter’ Return

Ahead of the launch, Raina had promoted the return of the show with a video featuring comedian Balraj and his bodyguard.

In the clip, Balraj joked that Raina had abandoned the platform where he started by moving to Netflix.

Raina’s bodyguard responded by saying, “One has to do it for money.”

Raina then clarified that the episodes would be released on YouTube and Netflix simultaneously with the same duration and content.

He had also assured viewers that the format would remain unfiltered and that swearing would continue.

Netflix India later teased the return through a cryptic post featuring Raina’s bodyguard, with the comedian added as a collaborator.

Raina had first announced the second season during his stand-up special Still Alive, although details remained limited until the recent promotional campaign.

Return Comes After Controversy Around Season One

The new season arrives months after controversy surrounding YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s appearance in the first season.

The backlash erupted after a clip went viral in which Allahbadia asked a contestant whether they would rather watch their parents have sex every day for the rest of their lives or participate once to stop it.

Multiple FIRs were subsequently filed against Allahbadia and the show’s producers, while the National Commission for Women intervened in the matter.

The Supreme Court later granted interim protection from arrest to Allahbadia while criticising the remarks as vulgar.

In his stand-up special Still Alive, Raina revealed that Allahbadia had repeated the controversial question eight times during filming and that only one instance was retained in the final edit.

He said several remarks were removed because he considered them inappropriate.

Raina also spoke about the emotional toll of the controversy, referring to death threats, legal notices received by fellow comedians and the stress experienced by his parents in the aftermath.

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