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 is an Indian stand-up comedian YouTuber chess streamer and content creator. He got really popular after winning Comicstaan Season 2 back in 2019, and yeah people kept talking about it for quite some time. Apart from that, he is also the creator producer and host of the well known 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. He comes from a Kashmiri Pandit family. In the beginning he spent most of his early years in Jammu, then later he moved to Pune, Maharashtra for higher studies.
He studied Print Engineering at Vidhyarthi Griha’s College of Engineering and Technology in Pune. During those college days, he started catching the bug for stand-up comedy and began trying his luck at open mic events.[2]
Career
Stand-up Comedy
Samay Raina began doing stand-up comedy in 2017. He showed up at open mic events around Pune pretty often and later he even performed with known comedians like Aakash Gupta Anirban Dasgupta, and Abhishek Upmanyu.[3][4]
In 2025, he launched a nationwide comedy tour called Still Alive and Unfiltered, and it played across multiple cities around India. In 2026, he released his first comedy special, also titled Still Alive, on YouTube.
In 2025, he launched a nationwide comedy tour called Still Alive and Unfiltered, and it played across multiple cities around India. In 2026, he released his first comedy special, also titled Still Alive, on YouTube.
YouTube and Chess Streaming
During the COVID 19 pandemic, when live comedy shows were paused, Samay started streaming chess games on YouTube. His fun and kinda playful style drew in a big audience, and in a strange way it also helped people take more interest in chess especially among younger viewers in India.
He collaborated with a bunch of very well known chess players, like Viswanathan Anand, Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, Vidit Gujrathi, Anish Giri, and Judit Polgár. Through his streams and these tournaments, he somehow managed to make chess feel more accessible and way more fun for online audiences.
Comedians on Board
Samay started Comedians on Board (COB) an online chess tournament run, with comedians mixed in, creators, and also a few celebrities. This whole thing got super popular with chess fans and it sort of bridged that usual gap between pure entertainment and chess itself.
India's Got Latent
In 2024, Samay launched India’s Got Latent, a comedy focused talent show that became one of the most watched digital entertainment programs in India, pretty fast. The show has contestants showing off their one of kind talents while getting funny, almost sharp feedback from judges and guest personalities.[5][6]
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
- ↑ India's Got Latent . In Brown Pant . Retrieved 11 June 2026
- ↑ 'I Want To Level Up': Samay Raina on His Latest Project India's Got Latent, Pushing the Envelope with His Comedy . In DeadAnt . Retrieved 11 June 2026