Stand-up comedian Samay Raina is back in the spotlight with his latest special Still Alive, a 1-hour 21-minute set now streaming on YouTube. While the show features his trademark humour and sharp timing, it also delves into personal themes such as bullying, identity, and recent controversies.
During the special, Samay opened up about a challenging phase in his childhood, recalling how he faced bullying after moving from Kashmir to Hyderabad. He shared that he was beaten on his very first day at school and struggled to adjust. Surrounded by Telugu-speaking classmates, he felt out of place and was targeted for being different.
Reflecting on those experiences, he said he endured years of bullying, including having his belongings taken, books torn, and being humiliated in front of others. The ordeal affected his confidence and made school a fearful experience. He also recalled feeling embarrassed when his father arrived in a Maruti 800, worrying it would invite further teasing, and would ask him to park at a distance.
Samay described the experience as a form of discrimination, emphasising that racism is not limited to skin colour but extends to anyone perceived as different.
He also addressed the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, which drew backlash after a joke involving Ranveer Allahbadia. The incident led to multiple FIRs against the show’s organisers, including Samay, and resulted in all episodes being removed from YouTube.
Speaking about the aftermath, Samay admitted the situation took an emotional toll on him. He said he felt guilty seeing fellow panel members face intense criticism and described the reaction as disproportionate to the joke, revealing how deeply the episode affected him.
