New Delhi (PTI): After this full stop, I'm trying to write a new story, said social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia on Sunday as he returned to social media a month after his comments on "India's Got Latent" sparked a major controversy.
In a new video, titled "Let's Talk" and posted on his official YouTube page, Allahbadia said his podcast "The Ranveer Show" will return soon and pledged to create content with added responsibility hereon.
"There was a forced break, which gave me time to embrace stillness. I got to know that so many Indians consider me a family member... To all of them, sorry. In the next 10, 20, 30 years, as long as I create content, I will do it with more responsibility," Allahbadia said.
"...After this full stop, I'm trying to write a new story. I hope you will all support me and my team in this new phase. All I want to say is thank you... Now you will see a new Ranveer... the podcast will return very soon," he added.
Allahbadia, one of the most influential podcasters with over 16 million followers across social media platforms, landed in a major controversy last month over his comment on parents and sex at Samay Raina's comedy show "India's Got Latent".
He apologised the next day but the controversy refused to die down with multiple police complaints filed against him and those involved with the show.
The Supreme Court granted him interim protection from arrest, though it termed his remarks "vulgar". He was allowed to resume his show by the apex court earlier this month.
Allahabadia said the quality of the podcast will keep improving and he will continue to post four episodes every week.
"In this restarting phase of 'TRS', to all the people who have been supporting till now, there is just one request, make a place for me in your hearts if possible. Give me one more chance.
"I like content creation a lot, I like podcasting a lot, to explore the history and culture of our country, that's my passion. That's what I am doing through my job and that's what I want to do."
Speaking about the tough phase he went through, Allahbadia said he doesn't consider it as a punishment.
"It's a learning, a transformation. God has given so much till now and so I consider this phase also as a gift. It came into my life for the sake of my growth and my transformation. Now I will just let my work speak. I will let my work speak," he said.
He also thanked people who reached out to him after the controversy.
"Your positive messages have helped me and my family immensely during this difficult phase. It was a tough time, facing open violent threats, overwhelming online hatred and countless media articles. Amidst all of this, your DMs provided us with immense support," he added.
Allahbadia said a team of 300 people worked for his show and none of them have resigned in the aftermath of the controversy.
"My entire team has supported me, my entire family has supported me. From the team not even a single person resigned throughout this phase. All our professional associates, business associates, they also supported us. Thank you again," he said.
The podcaster also returned on Instagram and posted a photo with his team.
"Thank you to my loved ones. Thank you universe. A new blessed chapter begins - Rebirth..." Allahabadia wrote in the caption.
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New Delhi, May 7 (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday picked Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for injured Devdutt Padikkal, while Delhi Capitals signed Afghanistan's Sediqullah Atal in place of Englishman Harry Brook for the remainder of the Indian Premier League.
Padikkal, who played 10 matches for RCB this season and scored 247 runs with the help of two half-centuries, sustained an injury to his right hamstring.
Agarwal has played 127 IPL matches so far, scoring 2661 runs. He has one IPL hundred and 13 fifties against his name. He joins RCB for Rs 1 Crore.
DC, on the other hand, have signed up 23-year-old Afghan batter Atal, who made headlines with his heroic 85-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Atal has played 49 T20s across various competitions, scoring 1,507 runs at an average of 34.25, including 13 half-centuries.
He first rose to prominence during the Kabul Premier League 2023, where he smashed 48 runs in a single over. In that innings, he remained unbeaten on 118 off 56 balls, which included seven fours and ten sixes. He also scored a century in the tournament final, making 103 off just 42 deliveries.
Atal played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s title win at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, topping the run-scorers’ chart with 368 runs in five matches.
He replaces Brook, who has been banned by the BCCI for pulling out of the IPL despite being bought at the auction.
"We are excited to welcome Atal to the Delhi Capitals. He is an exciting, young talent who has impressed everyone with his performances for both the Afghanistan youth and senior teams," DC head coach Hemang Badani said.