Cinema VinesComedian Samay Raina and actress Medha Shankr have been at the center of a flurry of dating speculation after a series of public appearances together earlier this year. The rumours began when a clip of the pair leaving an event in June surfaced online, and they were later seen together at multiple gatherings in July and even at an airport. Neither has commented directly on the relationship chatter, but Raina made it clear on the recent episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2 that Shankr is simply a close friend.
The episode, now streaming on Netflix, featured a mix of Bollywood talent including Varun Dhawan, Nishant Tanwar and Sharon Verma. During a magician’s segment, Kabir Sharma challenged the panel to identify each other’s best friends. Raina chose Shankr, prompting her to pick an envelope that contained a “gift” from the magician— a hug, which she described as a “pretty good” one. Raina also singled out Dhawan as the “smartest” among them, joking about his status as a “student of the year” and making light of a Border 2 reference.
While the show’s quirky format drew laughs, it has also faced controversy. Last year, an episode featuring a range of internet personalities sparked backlash over an incest joke, leading to FIRs and the show’s removal from YouTube. Season 2 has since moved to Netflix after the backlash was addressed.
Despite the media buzz, Raina’s comments on the show—calling Shankr his “sabse accha dost” (best friend)—appear to be a definitive statement that the pair’s bond is platonic. The couple’s continued public appearances, however, keep the speculation alive among fans and gossip outlets alike.
