Samay Raina
| |
| Samay Raina in 2026 | |
| Born | 26 October 1997 (age 28) Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Vidhyarthi Griha's College of Engineering and Technology, Pune |
| Occupation | Stand-up Comedian, YouTuber, Chess Streamer, Content Creator |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Known for | Comicstaan Season 2, India's Got Latent, Chess Streaming |
| Notable works | Comicstaan 2, India's Got Latent, Still Alive, Comedians on Board |
| Awards | Co-Winner of Comicstaan Season 2 (2019), Winner of Comedy Premium League (2021) |
| Parents | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Samay Raina (born 26 October 1997) is an Indian stand-up comedian, YouTuber, chess streamer, and content creator. He became widely known after winning Comicstaan Season 2 in 2019. He is also the creator, producer, and host of the popular comedy talent show India's Got Latent.[1]
Early Life and Education
Samay Raina was born on 26 October 1997 in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India, into a Kashmiri Pandit family. He spent his early years in Jammu and later moved to Pune, Maharashtra, for higher education.
He studied Print Engineering at Vidhyarthi Griha's College of Engineering and Technology in Pune. During his college years, he developed an interest in stand-up comedy and began performing at open mic events.[2]
Career
Stand-up Comedy
Samay Raina started performing stand-up comedy in 2017. He regularly appeared at open mic events in Pune and later performed alongside established comedians such as Aakash Gupta, Anirban Dasgupta, and Abhishek Upmanyu.[3][4]
In 2019, he participated in Comicstaan Season 2 and emerged as a co-winner along with Aakash Gupta. The victory helped him gain recognition in the Indian comedy industry.
In 2025, he launched his nationwide comedy tour titled Still Alive and Unfiltered, which was performed in several cities across India. In 2026, he released his first comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube.
YouTube and Chess Streaming
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when live comedy shows were suspended, Samay began streaming chess games on YouTube. His entertaining style attracted a large audience and helped popularize chess among young viewers in India.
He collaborated with several renowned chess players, including Viswanathan Anand, Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, Vidit Gujrathi, Anish Giri, and Judit Polgár. Through his streams and tournaments, he played an important role in making chess more accessible and entertaining for online audiences.
Comedians on Board
Samay launched Comedians on Board (COB), an online chess tournament series featuring comedians, creators, and celebrities. The initiative became popular among chess fans and helped bridge the gap between entertainment and chess.
India's Got Latent
In 2024, Samay launched India's Got Latent, a comedy-based talent show that quickly became one of the most popular digital entertainment programs in India. The show features contestants displaying unique talents while receiving humorous feedback from judges and guests.
In 2026, Samay announced a partnership with Netflix India for the second season of India's Got Latent and an upcoming stand-up comedy special.
Notable Works
- Comicstaan Season 2 (2019)
- Comedy Premium League (2021)
- One Mic Stand (2021)
- India's Got Latent (2024–present)
- Kaun Banega Crorepati (2025)
- Still Alive (2026)
- The Great Indian Kapil Show (2026)
Achievements and Recognition
- Co-winner of Comicstaan Season 2 (2019).
- Winner of Comedy Premium League (2021).
- Winner of the Botez Bullet Invitational Chess Tournament (2021).
- Winner of SuperPogChamps Chess Tournament (2025).
- Recognized for popularizing chess among Indian digital audiences.
- Creator and host of the successful talent show India's Got Latent.
- Became one of the youngest Indian comedians to perform at Madison Square Garden in 2026.
Personal Life
Samay Raina is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life. Apart from comedy, he has a strong interest in chess, gaming, and digital content creation. He is widely appreciated for combining humor with educational and entertainment content.
Controversies
Samay Raina has been involved in several public controversies related to social media posts and content featured on India's Got Latent. In 2025, the show faced criticism after controversial remarks made by certain guests, leading to legal complaints and public debate. The matter received widespread media attention across India.
External Links
See also
References
- ↑ Comicstaan 2 Winners Aakash Gupta and Samay Raina . In The Indian Express . Retrieved 23 June 2026
- ↑ Standing Up for Kashmir . In The New Indian Express . Retrieved 23 June 2026
- ↑ Samay Raina Biography . In StarsUnfolded . Retrieved 23 June 2026
- ↑ Samay Raina Profile . In Hamariweb . Retrieved 23 June 2026