Snehashish roy
A leaked photograph allegedly featuring actor Alia Bhatt on the sets of comedian Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent Season 2 has gone viral online, triggering both excitement and disappointment among fans of the controversial comedy show.
The image, which surfaced on social media on Monday, reportedly shows Alia Bhatt and actor Sharvari seated on the judging panel during the filming of the opening episode of the new season. Comedians Aashish Solanki and Balraj Ghai were also spotted in the leaked picture alongside host Samay Raina.
While there has been no official confirmation yet from either Alia Bhatt or Samay Raina’s team, multiple entertainment portals reported that the episode was shot at The Habitat in Mumbai and may be tied to the promotions of Alia and Sharvari’s upcoming YRF spy thriller Alpha.
The leaked image quickly spread across Reddit, Instagram and X, where fans began debating whether Bollywood celebrities joining the show would change the original chaotic and unscripted appeal that made India’s Got Latent popular in the first place.
Many viewers expressed disappointment, arguing that the show might slowly turn into a standard celebrity promotion platform rather than retaining its unpredictable internet-comedy energy. One viral reaction claimed the show was “losing its soul,” while another user wrote that the appearance felt “too PR curated.”
Several users specifically pointed out that India’s Got Latent originally built its cult fanbase through unconventional guests, edgy humour and spontaneous interactions rather than mainstream Bollywood marketing appearances.
“This will soon become a film promotion show,” one social media user reportedly commented after the image leaked online.
Others, however, defended the move and said the inclusion of major stars like Alia Bhatt could expand the show’s reach to a larger audience. Fans supporting the appearance argued that collaborations between digital creators and mainstream Bollywood stars are now natural in the evolving entertainment landscape.
The controversy surrounding the leaked image is especially significant because India’s Got Latent itself has had a turbulent journey over the past year. Hosted by comedian Samay Raina, the show became one of India’s biggest independent comedy sensations before being pulled down following major controversy in early 2025.
The backlash erupted after podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia made controversial remarks involving parents and sex during one of the bonus episodes. Multiple FIRs were reportedly filed against Allahbadia, Samay Raina and others associated with the show over allegations of obscenity and offensive content.
Following the outrage, Samay Raina removed all episodes of India’s Got Latent from YouTube. The controversy sparked nationwide debates around comedy, censorship and online content boundaries in India.
Despite the backlash, Samay later confirmed during his comeback stand-up special Still Alive that a second season of the show was in development.
Now, the leaked image featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari has once again pushed the show into headlines even before its official relaunch.
The timing also aligns with the growing promotional campaign around Alpha, the female-led YRF Spy Universe film starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. The action thriller is among Bollywood’s most anticipated releases and is expected to hit theatres later this year.
Interestingly, some users online suggested that the show’s return with mainstream Bollywood faces may indicate a broader attempt to make the content more commercially safe and advertiser-friendly after the Season 1 controversies. Others worried this could dilute the raw, internet-native identity that originally made the format stand out.
Still, many fans were simply excited to see India’s Got Latent returning at all. The show had developed a massive youth following because of its mix of absurd humour, unpredictable contestants and unfiltered panel interactions.
Created as a blend of talent-show parody and roast-style comedy, India’s Got Latent drew inspiration from international formats such as Kill Tony while developing a uniquely Indian internet culture identity.
The show’s first season featured appearances from creators, comedians, rappers and internet personalities including Tanmay Bhat, Bharti Singh, Vishal Dadlani, Munawar Faruqui and Mallika Sherawat.
At the same time, the series frequently attracted criticism for edgy jokes and controversial contestant remarks. Past episodes sparked outrage over jokes related to depression, disability and regional stereotypes.
Because of that history, every development around Season 2 is now being watched closely online. The leaked image has effectively ensured that the show’s comeback is already generating huge conversation before any official teaser or episode announcement.
For Alia Bhatt, the appearance would mark a rare crossover into India’s edgy creator-driven comedy space. The actor is usually associated with mainstream Bollywood promotions, luxury brand campaigns and global red-carpet events rather than uncensored digital comedy formats.
That contrast itself became a major reason behind the internet’s divided reaction. While some fans are curious to see Alia in a more relaxed, chaotic environment, others fear the episode could feel overly polished compared to the show’s earlier seasons.
Professionally, Alia Bhatt has had a highly visible year internationally after her recent appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 as a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. The actor also continues to headline major projects including Alpha and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War.
Meanwhile, Samay Raina remains one of India’s most influential digital comedians despite the controversies surrounding his show. His fanbase continues to remain deeply loyal, especially among younger internet audiences.