Actor Mukesh Khanna has strongly criticised comedian Samay Raina after the latter took a dig at him in his stand-up special Still Alive, triggering a fresh round of online debate.

The controversy began after Raina’s recently released special, where he addressed the fallout of the India’s Got Latent row and responded to critics, including Khanna. During the set, the comedian referenced Khanna’s earlier criticism and made remarks involving his iconic character Shaktimaan.

Raina also pushed back against Khanna’s past comments about the influence of his content, recalling how children in earlier years imitated Shaktimaan and sometimes injured themselves. The remarks were perceived as a direct critique of Khanna’s stance during the controversy.

Reacting sharply, Mukesh Khanna took to social media to express his disapproval. In a strongly worded post, he accused Raina of insulting the beloved superhero character and used the phrase “kutte ki dum” (a dog’s tail) to describe him, suggesting that he would not change despite criticism.

Khanna also shared an edited image depicting Raina sitting on a donkey with his face blackened, accompanied by a caption calling for public humiliation. In his remarks, he said Raina had been criticised widely but continued to repeat similar behaviour, adding that such actions disrespected a character associated with children.

The actor further alleged that Raina’s comments amounted to an insult to “Shaktimaan,” a character that has long held cultural significance for audiences. He maintained that such references in comedy crossed a line and warranted strong response.

The exchange follows an earlier phase of tension between the two, dating back to the controversy around India’s Got Latent in 2025. At the time, Khanna had publicly criticised the show and its content, while Raina faced legal scrutiny and backlash over remarks made during an episode featuring Ranveer Allahbadia.

Raina’s Still Alive special marks his return to stand-up after that controversy, with the comedian addressing critics and reflecting on the events through satire. His remarks targeting Khanna were part of a broader segment responding to those who had criticised him during the backlash.

The exchange has since sparked mixed reactions online. While some users supported Khanna’s stance on respecting cultural icons, others defended Raina, arguing that stand-up comedy often involves satire and commentary on public figures.

The episode highlights the continuing tension between artistic expression and public sensitivity, particularly when comedy intersects with culturally significant figures.

As of now, Samay Raina has not issued a separate response to Khanna’s latest remarks, and the debate continues to unfold across social media platforms.