Singer Kailash Kher has addressed the controversy surrounding jokes about Bihar and Kashmir on ‘India’s Got Latent’ Season 2. The exchange involved comedian Samay Raina and comedian Sharon Verma. Clips from their interaction have attracted criticism on social media.The discussion has also raised questions about the boundaries of comedy. Kailash Kher has now shared his thoughts on how performers should approach sensitive subjects. However, he did not directly attack either Samay Raina or Sharon Verma.
Kailash Kher stresses discipline in creativity
Speaking to ANI, Kailash Kher was asked about comedians using subjects related to Biharis and Kashmiri Pandits for humour. He explained his position by drawing a comparison with music.The singer said creative expression also requires discipline. “Look, if I’ll tell you in terms of music, then music is not just a tune its something that can also make you laugh, its also a form of discipline. So, you should stay in music,” he said.Kailash Kher further explained that mistakes in artistic expression could change how the audience interprets it. “If your music tune is not correct, then you may end in making fun of someone,” Kailash Kher said.
Singer talks about awareness and courtesy
Kailash Kher then expanded his comments beyond music. He stressed the importance of remaining conscious of one’s words and behaviour. “To islie manushye ko chaitanye me rehna chahie, tameez me rehna chahie… or apni apni tameez se sb baat krein, to sbko itna to pta hi hai kaise jeena hai, kese hasna hai or kese hsaana hai, kese kisi ka dil jeetna hai…” (“So, a person should remain conscious and aware, and should maintain basic decency. If everyone speaks with that sense of decency, then everyone knows how to live, how to laugh, how to make others laugh, and how to win someone’s heart.”) he said.“There will be critics, there will be haters, there will be jealous people. Then you will realise that you have come so far,” he said.
What happened between Samay Raina and Sharon Verma?
The controversy followed an exchange between Samay Raina and Sharon Verma during ‘India’s Got Latent’ Season 2. Sharon Verma had previously appeared as a contestant in the show’s first season. She returned in the second season as a panellist. The panel also included Orry, Archana Puran Singh and Nishant Suri.During the episode, Samay Raina made a joke about Sharon Verma’s Bihari background. The comment referred to stereotypes surrounding people from Bihar moving outside the state for employment. Sharon Verma responded with a joke about Samay Raina’s Kashmiri identity. Her remark included a reference to “getting stoned”. She also said that she had “at least left her state by choice.”The exchange was presented as banter during the episode. Clips later circulated widely on social media. The references to Bihar and Kashmir subsequently became a subject of criticism.
Samay Raina and Sharon Verma yet to respond
Neither Samay Raina nor Sharon Verma has publicly responded to the criticism surrounding their exchange so far.Meanwhile, Kailash Kher is also set to release his latest romantic single ‘Tham Jaa’. The song is scheduled to arrive on major streaming platforms today, September 7, 2026.
