'Feared going broke': Samay Raina compares his India's Got Latent setback with Amitabh Bachchan's financial crisis

Samay Raina and Amitabh Bachchan

Stand-up comedian Samay Raina recently opened up about the severe financial and emotional toll he faced following the controversy surrounding his show India's Got Latent. In a candid conversation, he revealed how the backlash not only impacted his professional life but also left him fearing a complete financial collapse something he compared to the struggles once faced by Amitabh Bachchan.

Samay Raina recalls fearing bankruptcy

Recalling the aftermath of the controversy, Raina said he "lost everything" almost overnight. Several upcoming episodes of his show were scrapped as collaborators grew hesitant, and sponsors began pulling out. "People were scared and didn't want their episode to be uploaded. I lost the sponsors of those episodes," he shared, explaining how the sudden withdrawal created a domino effect on his finances.

The situation worsened when brands and partners demanded refunds. Raina revealed that he had already invested much of the advance money he received. "I had received their payments and gotten an FD done… had to break the FD, ask for my money back. I was in a mess," he admitted. His planned projects and ad shoots were also cancelled, further deepening the crisis.

Compares his crisis with Amitabh Bachchan

One of his biggest setbacks came from a tour deal, where he had taken advance payments that were already invested. As opportunities dried up, the uncertainty left him deeply shaken. "I was extremely scared… I didn't know what I'll do. I knew that no brand would come now," he said, describing the helplessness he felt during that period.

Raina also spoke about the emotional toll, revealing that his "biggest fear" was going bankrupt. Drawing parallels with Bachchan's financial struggles in the late 1990s, he said he feared ending up "broke and in debt." The anxiety pushed him into a depressive phase, where he struggled to maintain a routine and spent long periods isolated, consumed by negative thoughts and online criticism.

Despite the setbacks, Raina has gradually rebuilt his career, using humor and content creation as a way to bounce back. His recent appearances and projects signal a recovery phase, but his experience stands as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the entertainment industry.