Samay Raina Roasts Unacademy, Brands Keep Betting on Edgy Humor

Unacademy marked its 9th anniversary with a vibrant event titled ‘Pratishtha,’ featuring an eclectic panel including Samay Raina, Ashish Solanki, Purav Jha, and football icon Sunil Chhetri. However, it was Samay Raina’s unsparing wit and bold roasting that stole the show and sparked an internet frenzy.

Raina, known for his sharp humor, wasted no time taking jabs at Unacademy. He made a dramatic entrance, sporting a sticker of Unacademy’s competitor, Physics Wallah. His first quip set the tone: “Oh my god, Alakh sir aa rahe hai!” referencing Physics Wallah’s founder, Alakh Pandey, and leaving the audience in splits.

Adding fuel to the humor, Raina teased the rumored takeover of Unacademy by Allen Coaching Institute, cheekily calling his favorite musician “Allen Walker.” He further criticized Unacademy’s practices, humorously commenting on educators switching platforms for higher pay and quipping about the brand “trimming” students.

Raina’s Roasting Legacy

This isn’t the first time Raina has turned a brand’s marketing into a viral moment. During Zomato’s 16th-anniversary roast, Raina wore a T-shirt from rival Swiggy, poking fun at Zomato’s pop-up notifications and customer service. Although Zomato planned to release the roast in full, only short clips were uploaded, likely due to Raina’s edgy content.

Raina’s talent extends beyond one-off events. His popular YouTube show “India’s Got Latent” has attracted multiple brands, including Spinny, POP UPI, Boldcare, and Wok Tok by Veeba, to sponsor episodes despite being roasted themselves. For instance, Spinny embraced the joke when Raina called them providers of “brand new second-hand cars,” a phrase that customers later referenced during deliveries.

The Viral Formula

Raina’s collaborations differ from traditional influencer deals. Instead of glowing reviews, brands embrace self-deprecating humor, allowing Raina to roast them freely. This unique approach has proven effective, with clips going viral and generating buzz that feels far more organic than conventional marketing.

His influence extends beyond his own performances. Contestants from “India’s Got Latent” have also gained traction. For example, Swiggy collaborated with five contestants to promote its 10-minute delivery service, Swiggy Bolt.

Risk vs. Reward

Despite the inherent brand safety risks, companies continue partnering with Raina, betting on his ability to deliver memorable, viral content. Whether this unconventional dynamic will evolve remains to be seen, but for now, Raina’s bold humor is redefining brand partnerships in the digital age.