After Ranveer Allahbadia, Comedian Swati Sachdeva Faces Backlash for Joke About Mother

Weeks since YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, alias BeerBiceps, was in the firing line for making a contentious joke about parents, stand-up comedian Swati Sachdeva is herself in the midst of a similar controversy.

A clip from one of Sachdeva’s recent shows has gone viral, which is a joke about how her mother reacted when she discovered a vibrator at home. The internet is still split on the issue—some users think the joke is great, while others wonder if such a joke about parents goes too far.

Sachdeva is heard saying in the video, “My mother is trying to be a cool mom, but it’s not happening.  I just experienced a tragedy with her when she discovered my vibrator. She approached me in full confidence and asked me to speak to her ‘as a friend.’ She is certainly going to request my vibrator. She began referring to it as a gadget, a toy. I was like, ‘I swear, Mom, it’s Papa’s.’ She told me, ‘Don’t be foolish; I know his preference.’ That was when my mum pulled it out and began to question me.

Online Reactions

The video evoked a strong social media reaction. One X user condemned her, with the following comment: “This shameless Swati Sachdeva is engaged in posting obscenity in the guise of comedy. She is not even holding back her parents in her greed for money. Shameless.”

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The other user criticized the career options of the comedian, saying, “Swati Sachdeva is Delhi-born and graduated from AMITY. When she couldn’t find a good job, she began writing adult material… Interest – $€X with a girl? Work – Earning fame by disrespecting your own mom. Did you see him yesterday, involving his own mom in his dirt on a public platform?”

At the same time, another user wondered if authorities would take action against her, sharing a clip from her performance and asking, “There has been enough investigation on Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia. Will she be the next?”

A wider discourse regarding contemporary comedy also arose. One X commenter said, “Today, only the use of swear words defines comedy and nothing else. Others find it amusing. Someone who is here on this platform mentioned to me that comedy has been upgraded over time. Is it an upgraded or downgraded comedy?? Is it comedy at all?”

Another voiced dismay at the condition of the younger generation, stating, “What happened to today’s young, energetic, youthful generation…?!”

The Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy

Sachdeva’s controversy follows the outrage against YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia for his comments on India’s Got Latent, a show hosted by comedian Samay Raina. Allahbadia’s question to a contestant—”Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?”—resulted in FIRs, legal issues, and continued online outrage.

Raina came before Maharashtra Cyber officials on Friday in an obscenity case over the show. He had also given a statement on March 24 at Mhape, headquarters of the agency, Navi Mumbai. Both Raina and Allahbadia, and some others who feature in the show, have received several police complaints.

While debate rages on regarding comedy, censorship, and public sensitivity, the Swati Sachdeva controversy only added fuel to the debate on where the line has to be drawn with humor.