‘India’s Got Latent’ Returns, Faces Criticism Over Epstein Island Joke

India-West News Desk

MUMBAI- The second season of ‘India’s Got Latent’ premiered on Netflix and YouTube on June 20, but the show’s return has drawn online criticism over a joke made during the episode.

The primary point of contention is a segment featuring comedian Avinash Agarwal, who performed an impression of Donald Trump. During the exchange, host Samay Raina brought up the topic of oil, to which Agarwal’s character replied, “Come to the island my friend, there’s a lot of oil there.”

Following the episode’s release, social media users interpreted the remark as a reference to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, Little St. James. Many viewers criticized the joke as insensitive, arguing that a location linked to the trafficking and abuse of minors is not an appropriate subject for humor. The segment also drew attention to panelist Alia Bhatt; while others on stage laughed at the remark, viewers noted that Bhatt appeared not to react. Clips of the moment were subsequently shared across social media, adding to the online discussion.

Beyond the joke, some viewers also criticized the show’s format, saying it lacked the spontaneity of earlier seasons. Fans said interactions among the panelists, including Sharvari, Balraj Ghai and Ashish Solanki, appeared more structured, with some comparing the tone to reality shows such as ‘Bigg Boss’ and ‘Roadies’.

The backlash comes about a year after ‘India’s Got Latent’ was removed from YouTube following controversy over comments made by guest Ranveer Allahbadia. The incident led to multiple police complaints and FIRs against people associated with the show, including Raina. With Season 2 now underway, the premiere has once again placed the show under scrutiny over its content and format.