Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, aka BeerBiceps, says celebrities claiming to boycott his podcast were never invited.
He responded to backlash following the India’s Got Latent controversy, calling it a “feeding frenzy.”
Singer B Praak had earlier claimed he cancelled an appearance, but later clarified his stance.
Ranveer has since resumed his podcast, featuring Shruti Haasan, Boman Irani, and Tara Sutaria.
Ranveer Allahbadia, better known by his online alias BeerBiceps, has finally addressed the flurry of celebrities who claimed to have “boycotted” his podcast following the India’s Got Latent controversy. The YouTuber, who came under fire earlier this year for an inappropriate remark on a comedy show, has now hit back, clarifying that most of the stars publicly declaring their “boycott” were never even invited to his show.
In a recent appearance on Mission India, hosted by Prafful Garg, Ranveer reflected on the social media backlash and false narratives. “Some celebrities claimed they’d rejected invites to the show. Truth is, they were never invited in the first place,” he said, adding that he felt disappointed and angry at how quickly misinformation spread online.
What did Ranveer Allahbadia say about the controversy?
Speaking about the fallout from the viral India’s Got Latent video, Ranveer admitted to feeling “upset and angry” but acknowledged the situation was of his own making. “I couldn’t change the past, but I could change the future. I got a forced break after a crazy, intense six-year podcasting journey. I’m trying to forgive people, even myself, and move on,” he shared.
The controversy began when Ranveer asked an inappropriate question on comedian Samay Raina’s panel show. Although it was laughed off during the episode, it sparked outrage on social media and led to FIRs filed against the show’s creators and guests.
Ranveer Allahbadia faces backlash as controversy sparks national debate Youtube/Samay Raina
Which celebrities claimed to boycott BeerBiceps’ podcast?
One of the more high-profile names was singer B Praak, who said in February that he cancelled his scheduled appearance on Ranveer’s show, citing spiritual and ethical disagreements. “You talk about Sanatan Dharma and spirituality, but your thinking is so vile?” he had said in Hindi, adding that his team had been in talks for several months to finalise the podcast.
Interestingly, B Praak later walked back his harsh criticism in an interview, stating that he admired Ranveer’s work and had looked forward to being on the show. Scheduling conflicts, he said, had delayed things on both sides.
Who are the guests on Ranveer’s podcast post-controversy?
Despite the storm, Ranveer has continued podcasting. His recent episodes featured prominent names like Shruti Haasan, Boman Irani, and Tara Sutaria. He also addressed the backlash in conversation with Emraan Hashmi, who instantly recognised the controversy when Ranveer brought it up.
While Ranveer did release an apology video on X, he also took down the controversial India’s Got Latent episode. Co-host Samay Raina later removed the show from YouTube entirely.
Ranveer Allahbadia faces backlash and legal probe over controversial remarks on \u2018India\u2019s Got Latent\u2019 Instagram/beerbiceps
What’s next for Ranveer Allahbadia?
The incident has certainly shaken public trust in one of India’s most well-known podcasters. Yet, Ranveer seems intent on rebuilding his brand with transparency and resilience. Whether that’s enough in a hyper-reactive online ecosystem remains to be seen.
As influencer accountability continues to evolve, Allahbadia’s response, part clarification, part introspection, offers a glimpse into how content creators are navigating cancel culture in 2025.
Critics praise Gulzar’s opening narration as the series’ emotional anchor.
Several reviewers find the animation ambitious but uneven.
Many reviews note secondary voice performances lack range compared with the narration.
Reviewers differ on pacing and storytelling focus: some call it tight, others say it feels stitched.
Viewers and critics recommend watching for the scale and music, not for flawless character work.
This Kurukshetra review is a round-up of what critics and early viewers are saying about Netflix’s new animated retelling, and one name keeps coming up: Gulzar. Across reviews, the opening narration is almost universally singled out as the strongest element, while opinions split sharply on animation quality, voice casting and whether the series’ narrow battlefield focus pays off.
Netflix’s animated Kurukshetra draws praise for its ambition but criticism for uneven voice performances Instagram/netflix_in
What do reviewers say about Kurukshetra and Gulzar’s role?
Multiple reviews call Gulzar’s baritone the series’ single greatest asset. Critics write that his lines give scenes emotional gravity. They said the narration "grounds" the show and often rescues moments that might otherwise feel flat. A few outlets even suggested his voice elevates sequences beyond the animation’s limits.
Do critics think Kurukshetra gets the animation right?
The answer is mixed. Several reviewers applaud the scale, chariot set pieces, wide battle frames and the sheer ambition. Others point out inconsistencies, like faces that do not always register emotion and occasional stiffness in character movement. Many reviews used the same phrasing: “impressive in scope, uneven in detail.”
How do reviewers view the voice cast beyond Gulzar?
This is where opinions cluster on the negative side. A number of critics say secondary voiceovers feel one-note and do not match the gravitas Gulzar brings. A handful of reviews praised specific performances, but the dominant note was: solid, not stellar.
Pacing and focus. Some reviewers appreciated the choice to limit the story to battlefield days and called it focused and brisk. Others felt certain backstories were teased, leaving them wanting more, and described the structure as stitched together. So, pick your critic: some loved the discipline, others wanted a fuller sweep.
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