Last Updated:
Ranveer Allahbadia can resume podcasts after Supreme Court relief, but his controversial comment on India’s Got Latent led to a drop in influencer rates, impacting brand deals.
Ranveer Allahbadia faces flak over his controversial comment in a comedy show.
YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia can now resume uploading his podcasts after receiving relief from the Supreme Court. However, the controversy surrounding his comments on the show ‘India’s Got Latent’ continues to impact the influencer market in the country.
Influencers are pointing out that brand endorsement rates have dropped substantially after the Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, saying brands are offering up to 50 per cent less. In several cases, influencers are not being considered as well.
Significant Drop in Influencer Rates
According to Sumon K Chakrabarti, co-founder & CEO of ad agency Buffalo Soldiers as cited by MoneyControl report, “The drop is significant, with rates falling by over 50 percent in some cases, and in some instances, influencers are not even being considered.”
Lifestyle and travel influencer Shivaditya Barjatya estimates a 5-10 percent drop in rates charged by influencers. “A macro influencer charging anywhere around Rs 2.5 lakh has seen a drop of about 5-7 percent after this (Ranveer Allahbadia and India’s Got Latent) controversy. Brands are too concerned. It has impacted the top category. The big following which impressed brands is now resulting in more scrutiny,” he said to MoneyControl.
“The situation is such that while renegotiations are happening, if an influencer isn’t even being considered, there’s nothing left for them to negotiate,” adds Chakrabarti.
Standup comic Samay Raina, who hosted India’s Got Latent, also lost a brand deal due to the controversy. A collaboration with an energy drink company fell through as a result of the fallout.
What Is The Controversy?
Allahbadia stoked a massive controversy last month with an inappropriate comment made during his appearance on the roast show India’s Got Latent. He asked a contestant, “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life, or join in once and stop it forever?”
A viral video of the remark quickly surfaced, sparking outrage as social media users condemned the vulgarity being passed off as comedy on digital platforms. As a result, several police complaints were filed against Allahabadia and other members of the show.
Following the controversy surrounding Allahbadia’s remark and multiple FIRs, Samay Raina decided to delete all episodes. The Supreme Court also harshly criticised the creators of the show, saying that vulgar comedy cannot be considered as talent.
In the latest hearing on March 3, the top court allowed Allahbadia to resume ‘The Ranveer Show’, provided that he submits an undertaking stating that he will maintain the standards of decency and morality so that viewers of any age group can watch it.
