Samay Raina shares unseen apology clips from dark phase, says felt like a corpse

Comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina has opened up about one of the most difficult phases of his life, revealing that he had recorded multiple apology videos during the India’s Got Latent controversy - videos he never released. He described the period as his lowest point, saying it left him emotionally drained and changed him as a person.

Speaking on Chalchitra Talks, Raina reflected on how the controversy reshaped his perspective and made him more empathetic towards others.

He admitted that the phase took a severe toll on him. His friend, Balraj Singh Ghai, had described him as a “living corpse” at the time – a remark Raina acknowledged while recalling his state of mind.

Looking back, Raina said he now laughs at those unreleased apology clips. Recalling a conversation with the host, he said, “Tu insaan nahi dekh raha hai, laash dekh raha hai,” underlining how deeply the situation had affected him.

Amid the turmoil, Raina turned to comedy as a way to cope. He shared that he would often perform unannounced stand-up sets, using humour as a means to process and move past the experience.

He also spoke about moments of vulnerability, when he would post heart emojis on his channel, hoping to feel a sense of connection. “In your weakest moments, you just need some hope – that everything is not lost,” he said.

Raina added that he had reached out to fellow comedian Vir Das during the time, who encouraged him to write down his thoughts. The advice eventually helped him shape material for his show Still Alive.

He expressed gratitude to those who supported him through the phase, including Tanmay Bhat, who spent time helping him regain clarity, as well as Rakhi Sawant, Balraj, his wife Chandni, and his parents.

Reflecting on the experience, Raina said it has made him more understanding of others, adding that difficult behaviour often stems from personal struggles.

The comedian recently announced India’s Got Latent Season 2.