Mukesh Khanna Says THIS As He Hits Back at Backlash Over Samay Raina Ad
Mukesh Khanna has defended his appearance in a new commercial with Samay Raina following social media backlash, insisting that participating in a brand endorsement does not mean he sold out. Speaking on podcast, the veteran actor reaffirmed his strong stance against Raina’s show 'India's Got Latent'.
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has responded to online backlash following his recent appearance in a mobile phone commercial alongside comedian Samay Raina. The collaboration sparked criticism on social media, with several users accusing the actor of compromising his values after previously condemning Raina’s comedy show, India’s Got Latent. Addressing the controversy, Khanna clarified that the endorsement was a professional assignment and maintained that his stance on vulgar comedy remains unchanged. Mukesh Khanna REJECTS Ranveer Singh for ‘Shaktimaan’ Despite ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Success; Here’s Why.
Mukesh Khanna on Criticism Over Samay Raina Ad
The controversy arose after Khanna, best known for portraying the superhero Shaktimaan, shared screen space with Raina for a smartphone advertisement. Social media users quickly called out the actor, pointing to his past strong objections against Raina’s show and accusing him of selling out.
Responding to "bik gaya" (sold out) comments, Khanna clarified that the project was strictly a commercial endorsement and not an endorsement of the comedian’s content. Speaking on Subhojit Ghosh’s podcast, he revealed that the brand took 10 days to convince him to join the campaign due to his initial reluctance.
Mukesh Khanna x Samay Raina
"Recalling my initial hesitation, I questioned how I could appear with Samay when I had been vocal about wanting his show to be stopped," Khanna explained. He added that he only agreed to proceed after reviewing the script and ensuring that necessary changes were made to suit his requirements.
Rejecting claims that he compromised his morals, Khanna firmly defended his integrity during the podcast.
"Mere log nahi bolenge ki mein bik gaya. Agar mujhe kharidte toh mein bhi gaali-galaoch karta na? Where did I bow down to say he is nice? Shaktimaan nahi bik sakta hai, mein uske show mein nahi gaya," he said. (My people won’t say I sold out. If they bought me, wouldn't I also engage in vulgarity? Where did I bow down to say he is nice? Shaktimaan cannot be bought; I did not go on his show.)
While Khanna described Raina as a "sweet" and "enterprising" individual off-camera who understands marketing, he emphasised that he remains opposed to the format of roasting programs. "I am still against India’s Got Latent and such below-the-belt jokes," he stated, reiterating that participating in an advertisement does not mean he supports vulgar content.
Watch Mukesh Khanna's Full Interview:
Comments Khanna Had Made Previously About Raina
Prior to the commercial, Khanna was among the vocal critics of Samay Raina and his talent show, India’s Got Latent. He had repeatedly denounced the show for relying on abusive language, crude humour, and distasteful jokes to gain popularity. Sunil Pal Criticises Archana Puran Singh’s ‘India’s Got Latent S2’ Appearance.
In earlier statements, Khanna had voiced concerns about the impact of such content on younger audiences, calling for stricter content regulations and suggesting that such shows should be taken off the air. He had also criticised legal outcomes regarding FIRs related to the show, arguing that comedy should remain within acceptable social boundaries without resorting to obscenity.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2026 11:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).