BeerBiceps Returns with Self-Aware boAt Ad Post Controversy

Six months after the fallout from India’s Got Latent, where Ranveer Allahbadia faced backlash over controversial comments, he re-emerges through a collaboration with boAt. The partnership marks BeerBiceps’ return to brand work following the public scrutiny. 

India’s Got Latent, a comedy-talent show on YouTube, was embroiled in scandal when comments made on an episode led to objections from audiences and authorities. This caused a significant dip in Allahbadia’s brand endorsements and public engagements.

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A post shared by Ranveer Allahbadia (@beerbiceps)

Concept & Creative Tone

The new ad plays with horror and parody themes reminiscent of 1980s-90s Indian horror films. It starts in a deserted railway station, where someone’s phone dies while watching The Ranveer Show. Darkness, suspense, and comic tension build as the viewer is left stranded without power. 

Allahbadia shows up, ghostly effects and all, chiding that podcasters work hard creating spooky content—ghosts, aliens, yetis—and viewers stop watching mid-content because of dead phone batteries. This leads into him promoting a boAt power bank, with an abrupt, self-aware switch from parody to pitch: “Upgrade to boAt, bro.”

Addressing the Controversy Head-On

What makes this campaign stand out is its willingness to acknowledge past issues rather than avoid them. At one point in the ad, Allahbadia quips: “Tere phone ka toh comeback hogaya, yaar, just like me” (“Your phone has made a comeback, buddy, just like me”). This line directly parallels his own professional hiatus and return. 

Another character quips back “Bhai, aap comedy mat karo” (“Brother, don’t do comedy anymore”), referencing the criticism Allahbadia faced for his comedy on India’s Got Latent. This back-and-forth serves to diffuse tension, use humour and self-reflection as part of the narrative.

Product & Branding Focus

While the controversy forms the backdrop, the product remains central: a boAt power bank. The ad emphasises the real problem many users face—phones dying mid-content—and positions boAt as the solution. By tying product benefits to everyday frustrations, the campaign aligns utility, emotion and empathy.

Visually, the ad balances dramatic/horror elements with humour, switching tones fast to maintain attention but also to lighten mood. This hybrid style aims to make the viewer both laugh and relate.

Timing & Comeback Strategy

The timing is critical. After the Latent controversy, BeerBiceps’ absence from many campaigns was noted. This ad seems designed as a strategic re-entry, using transparency and humour. The reference to the scandal isn’t just a cameo—you could say it’s central to the comeback narrative. 

Other creators from India’s Got Latent like Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, and Apoorva Mukhija had also gradually returned to brand work. This boAt ad marks BeerBiceps’ significant return to mainstream collaboration.

Audience Impact & Industry Implications

For audiences, this campaign may resonate because it humanises Allahbadia—showing not just the product, but the person behind the public figure and their challenges. It uses self-deprecation and a bit of vulnerability, which can rebuild trust. 

From an industry perspective, this is a case study in reputation management: how to turn controversy into part of the brand story rather than something to hide. It reflects a trend where influencers and creators faced with backlash don’t simply withdraw; some re-enter the scene with transparency and creativity.