Actor Mukesh Khanna has found himself at the centre of an online debate after appearing in a new advertisement alongside comedian Samay Raina, months after publicly condemning the creator and his controversial show India’s Got Latent.
The advertisement, created for AI+ Smartphones, features both personalities in the same frame and marks an unexpected collaboration given their highly publicised disagreement earlier this year. The campaign quickly sparked reactions across social media, with many users questioning the apparent reversal and accusing Khanna of contradicting his earlier stance.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Khanna during the fallout surrounding India’s Got Latent. Following comments made during the show’s controversy, Khanna had strongly criticised Raina, describing the programme as “ashleel” (obscene), Kutte ki dum and arguing that it should not return for another season. He had also made headlines for saying that Raina deserved to be “paraded on a donkey” for promoting such content.
Against that backdrop, the new commercial has surprised fans. In the advertisement shared by Raina, the comedian appears discussing the return of his show before Khanna enters in a manner reminiscent of his iconic Shaktimaan persona. The unexpected pairing immediately triggered online conversation.
Social media users were quick to react. Several posts mocked the collaboration, with phrases such as “Shaktimaan bik gaya” trending across comment sections. Others questioned whether Khanna’s previous criticism was genuine, while some defended the actor, arguing that professional collaborations should be viewed separately from personal disagreements.
The collaboration arrives at a time when Raina is once again in the spotlight. India’s Got Latent recently returned for a second season and is now streaming on both Netflix and YouTube, marking a significant comeback for the creator-led show after months of controversy and scrutiny.
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BrandBeats Take
The clever part of the ad is that it doesn’t ignore the controversy, it uses it. Several of Mukesh Khanna’s viral remarks about Samay Raina during the controversy, including “sudhrega nahi,” “tera muh kaala karna padega,” and references to his criticism of Samay’s humour, are woven directly into the script.
Because audiences already know the backstory, these lines instantly feel familiar and funny. Instead of being remembered as harsh comments from a public feud, they are repackaged as punchlines that drive the narrative forward. It’s a smart example of how brands can turn existing cultural conversations into creative assets, making the ad more entertaining, memorable, and shareable.
