Just a few months ago, it seemed impossible that Samay Raina and Mukesh Khanna would ever share the screen. Their public disagreement over India’s Got Latent had turned into one of the most talked-about celebrity feuds online, with both sides taking direct shots at each other. Now, in a twist that few saw coming, the comedian and the veteran actor have teamed up for a commercial, leaving social media users both amused and confused.
The unexpected collaboration has quickly become a major talking point online. While some viewers are calling it one of the most surprising entertainment crossovers of the year, others are questioning why Mukesh Khanna chose to work with someone he had publicly criticised so strongly. The ad itself doesn’t ignore their history either. Instead, it cleverly turns their past conflict into the centerpiece of the campaign.
Samay and Mukesh Turn Their Feud Into Comedy
The advertisement, released by Ai+ Smartphone, was shared by Samay Raina on Instagram on Monday. The video opens with Samay speaking on the phone, seemingly referencing his comeback after months of controversy.
He says, “Thanks, yaar. The show is returning now. As they say, darkness doesn’t prevail for long.”
Moments later, Mukesh Khanna appears in his iconic Shaktimaan style, arriving dramatically on the rooftop. A surprised Samay asks, “What are you doing on my rooftop, sir?”
Mukesh responds, “Teri tedhi dum seedhi karne aaya hoon, Samay Raina.”
The commercial then leans heavily into the criticism Mukesh had previously directed at the comedian. Samay jokes that being on a rooftop with Shaktimaan makes him nervous and suggests they move inside. Mukesh then references the legal troubles surrounding India’s Got Latent.
He says, “3 FIR hone ke baad bhi tum sudhre nahi na? Tera muh kala karna hi padega.”
Samay immediately counters with a joke of his own, replying, “Then there’ll be one more FIR against you for doing blackface, right?”
The exchange continues with Mukesh criticizing Samay’s comedy style in a manner that closely mirrors comments he made during their public dispute. The actor says, “Phirse ghinone jokes. Phirse kutta aakar keh raha hai ki meri dum tedhi hai. Kutta kabhi bhi aakar nahi kehta ki dekho dekho meri dum tedhi hai. Tumhari issi gandi bhasha se logon ka dimaag kharab ho gaya hai. Tum Hindustan mein rehte ho par tumhare jokes ashleel American style ke hain. Joote Japanese hain aur shirt Canada ki.”
The commercial eventually shifts focus to the smartphone itself, with Samay highlighting that the device is made in India.
Why Their Collaboration Is Surprising
The reaction stems largely from how bitter the feud appeared only a few months ago. Following the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, Mukesh Khanna emerged as one of Samay Raina’s strongest critics. The veteran actor repeatedly condemned the show’s content and questioned the type of comedy being promoted online.
The tension escalated further after Samay referenced Mukesh and Shaktimaan during his stand-up special Still Alive. Mukesh did not take the joke lightly and responded with a strongly worded social media post.
At the time, he wrote, “Samay Raina tu sirf gadhe par baithne ke layak hai voh bhi muh kala karke.”
He also added, “The whole country has scolded him and condemned him. Yet he has come back shamelessly. Now only one thing remains… blacken his face, parade him on a donkey through the cities of the country, and shower him with insults. Let children throw eggs and tomatoes at him because he has insulted their superhero Shaktimaan.”
Given those comments, many fans assumed there was no possibility of the two personalities ever appearing together publicly. That assumption is exactly why the advertisement has generated so much attention.
Social Media Reacts to the Unexpected Team-Up
The internet wasted little time reacting after the commercial was released. Many users focused on the sheer unpredictability of seeing Samay and Mukesh in the same frame.
One fan wrote, “Totally unexpected collab before GTA 6.”
Another commented, “Hahaha, collab no one imagined.”
A third user added, “Nobody was expecting this collab,” while another described the pairing as “legendary.”
Not everyone was impressed, however. Several users accused Mukesh Khanna of contradicting his earlier position after working with someone he had publicly criticized.
One comment read, “Shaktimaan bhi bik gaya.”
Another user wrote, “It feels like creating controversy with Samay is good for your bank balance, as he ends up collaborating with every hater and humbling them too.”
A separate comment stated, “Shaktimaan ki neeyat badal gayi.”
The criticism extended to X as well, where some users revisited Mukesh’s earlier remarks about the comedian. Others argued that the collaboration simply showed both personalities were willing to laugh at their differences and move forward.
The Background Behind the Controversy
The dispute traces back to February 2025 when remarks made by Ranveer Allahbadia on India’s Got Latent triggered widespread backlash across social media. The controversy resulted in multiple FIRs being filed against both Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina, placing the show at the center of a national debate over online content and comedy.
Mukesh Khanna became one of the most vocal critics of the program during that period. He repeatedly questioned the nature of the content being produced and argued that such comedy negatively influenced younger audiences.
Over the following months, both sides continued exchanging remarks through interviews, social media posts, and comedy routines. What began as criticism eventually evolved into a full-fledged public feud, making their latest collaboration all the more surprising.
Whether the advertisement was simply a clever marketing strategy or a genuine sign that tensions have cooled remains unclear. What is certain is that the campaign has achieved exactly what advertisers hope for: getting people talking. For fans who spent months watching the two exchange barbs online, seeing Shaktimaan and Samay Raina joking together may be the last crossover anyone expected in 2026.
