The Full Circle: Mumbai Cybercell That Booked Samay Raina Now Honours Him

Comedian Samay Raina turned an official felicitation ceremony into an unexpected stand-up moment on Wednesday, joking about his past run-in with the Maharashtra Cyber department in front of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Raina, 28, was among the celebrities felicitated for their contribution to a cyber-awareness short film on “Digital Arrest” and the Maharashtra Cyber anthem for the 1930 cybercrime helpline. The irony was not lost on the comedian, who used his own experience with the agency as the punchline.

‘Maharashtra Cyber Aur Mera Kissa Bahot Time Se Chalta Aya Hai’

While accepting the felicitation, Raina recalled his long association with Maharashtra Cyber.

“Thank you so much for the felicitation, sir. Maharashtra Cyber aur mera kissa bahot time se chalta aya hai,” he said.

He then turned his attention to the 1930 helpline.

“1930 is a great number because kayi baar mujhe vahin se call aa jata hai,” Raina joked, drawing laughter from the audience.

He continued, “Bahot zyada active hai Maharashtra Cyber. Chahein aap US mein ho, chahein aap India mein ho, they will catch you.”

Fadnavis and other celebrities at the event, including Pankaj Tripathi, Sharad Kelkar and Ashish Vidhyarthi, were seen laughing at the remarks.

‘Cyber Cell Officer Came To My House And Picked Me Up’

Raina then highlighted the remarkable turnaround in his relationship with the cybercrime agency.

“It's brilliant. Ye pehli baar hua hai ki ek Cyber Cell ka officer ek comedian ke ghar gaya subah, use ghar se uthaya aur is baar felicitation hua hai,” he said.

He ended the remark by thanking the organisers for the felicitation.

The moment was a sharp contrast to Raina's earlier experience with Maharashtra Cyber, which had summoned him for questioning following the controversy surrounding his YouTube show India's Got Latent.

Biscuit Joke With Fadnavis Adds To The Moment

In another video from the ceremony, Raina was seen being felicitated by Fadnavis when he noticed a plate of biscuits on the chief minister's table.

He picked one up and asked, “Can I take this?”

Fadnavis replied, “Haan, bilkul,” before breaking into laughter. The exchange prompted further laughter across the room.

From Cyber Cell Questioning To Cybercrime Awareness

The jokes carried a clear reference to the controversy that engulfed India's Got Latent in February 2025.

During an episode featuring podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, a controversial question about parents and sex triggered widespread outrage. Multiple complaints and FIRs were subsequently filed against Allahbadia, Raina and others associated with the show.

Maharashtra Cyber also summoned Raina for questioning. He was in the United States at the time and sought permission to record his statement through video conference, but the agency insisted that he appear in person. Raina later appeared before Maharashtra Cyber in Mumbai.

The controversy brought India's Got Latent to an abrupt halt. Raina removed the show's episodes from YouTube and largely stayed away from the public spotlight while the legal proceedings continued.

Supreme Court Proceedings And Raina's Return

The controversy eventually reached the Supreme Court, which made strong observations about the content and conduct of those involved. The proceedings also included undertakings and directions linked to awareness initiatives.

Raina later spoke about the episode and its impact in his stand-up special Still Alive.

By August 2026, however, his relationship with Maharashtra Cyber had taken an unexpected turn.

The comedian who had once been questioned by the agency was now standing alongside the Maharashtra chief minister, being honoured for contributing to a campaign aimed at helping citizens recognise cybercrime and digital arrest scams.