Samay Raina: Born on October 26, 1997, in Jammu, Samay Raina hails from a traditional Kashmiri Pandit family. His journey into comedy was not straightforward. Initially, he pursued a print engineering course at Vidhyarthi Griha’s College of Engineering and Technology in Pune. However, Raina felt unsatisfied with his academic path, considering it a waste of time. He quickly redirected his focus toward the local comedy scene, attending open mic events. His passion for comedy grew, leading him to perform regularly, and this became the beginning of his career in entertainment.
Rise in Stand-Up Comedy
Raina’s comedy career took off when he started performing at open mic events in Pune in 2017. His raw and engaging style caught the attention of established comedians like Anirban Dasgupta and Abhishek Upmanyu, with whom he began opening for at several events. With growing recognition, Samay moved to Mumbai to chase his dream of becoming a professional stand-up comedian. He soon became a regular in Mumbai’s comedy circuit, performing shows across the country.
Comicstaan 2: A Defining Moment
In 2019, Samay participated in the second season of Comicstaan, a popular stand-up comedy contest aired on Amazon Prime Video. There, he caught the audience’s and judges’ attention, eventually becoming the co-winner of the season alongside Aakash Gupta. His success in the competition marked a significant milestone in his career, propelling him into the limelight of the Indian comedy scene.
A Shift to YouTube and Chess Streaming
The COVID-19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to live performances, pushing Samay to explore new ways to engage with his audience. At the suggestion of fellow comedian Tanmay Bhat, Samay began streaming chess games on his YouTube channel. What started as a casual experiment quickly gained momentum when Samay invited popular chess YouTuber Antonio Radić (Agadmator) to join him for a session. This collaboration, followed by the appearance of Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, significantly boosted Raina’s channel viewership. As his channel grew, Samay’s humour-filled commentary attracted a larger audience, making chess more accessible and enjoyable for the masses.
Popularizing Chess in India
Raina’s YouTube channel became instrumental in popularizing chess in India. His ability to infuse humour into chess commentary won him praise from global chess figures such as Grandmasters Viswanathan Anand, Magnus Carlsen, and Vladimir Kramnik. By hosting celebrity-driven chess events, like the “Comedians On Board” tournaments, Raina further cemented his role in blending comedy and chess, creating a space where both worlds could coexist. His innovative approach made chess appealing to a younger audience and helped raise funds for several charitable causes, including flood relief efforts and support for waste pickers.
Chess Super League and Comedians on Board
In 2021, Raina took his passion for chess further by organizing the Chess Super League (CSL) in partnership with ChessBase India and Nodwin Gaming. This online chess league brought together top international and Indian chess talents, with a prize pool of ₹40 lakh. On his channel, he also created the Comedians On Board (COB) series, which attracted celebrities and comedians to compete in chess tournaments, adding a fun twist to the serious world of chess.
India’s Got Latent: A New Talent Show
In 2024, Samay Raina launched India’s Got Latent, a reality show that blends comedy and performance to uncover hidden talents. Hosted on his YouTube channel, the show quickly gained attention for its unique format, where participants are judged not only on their skills but also on their self-awareness, with comedic commentary adding a fun layer to the evaluation process. In response to the show’s popularity, Samay also launched an app inspired by the series. The app, India’s Got Latent, quickly topped charts on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and Samay expressed plans to expand it into a full-fledged OTT platform featuring various genres, from poetry to reality TV.
The Chess Streamer’s Competitive Edge
Beyond his streams and shows, Samay is also an active chess player on Chess.com under the username samayraina. As of December 2024, his rapid chess rating on the platform stands at 1621, with his peak rating reaching 1942 in August 2023. In 2021, Samay took home the $10,000 prize at the Botez Bullet Invitational tournament, further showcasing his growing presence in the chess community.
Controversy and Challenges
Despite his growing fame, Samay Raina’s career has not been without controversy. In February 2025, a controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent led to an FIR being filed against Samay and several other YouTubers, including Ashish Chanchlani and Ranveer Allahbadia, by the Guwahati Police. The controversy stemmed from claims of promoting inappropriate content during the show, with authorities citing violations under various laws related to obscenity and the portrayal of women. The issue sparked political discussions, including in the Indian Parliament, and led to the removal of certain videos after objections from the National Human Rights Commission.
The Future Ahead
Samay Raina’s journey from a budding stand-up comedian to a leading figure in the YouTube chess community and now a reality show host is a testament to his versatility and drive. His success in blending comedy with chess has earned him a dedicated following, and his ventures into the entertainment industry promise to shape his future trajectory. With a unique blend of humour, talent discovery, and digital innovation, Samay is setting the stage for a career that continues to inspire millions.
Despite the hurdles, Samay remains focused on his mission to entertain and educate, and he continues to evolve as an entertainer with a multifaceted presence across digital platforms. Whether as a comedian, chess streamer, or talent show host, Samay Raina’s influence is steadily growing, making him one of India’s most innovative digital content creators.