18 Sep 2025: At the high-profile premiere of The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, the directorial debut of Aryan Khan, one outfit stood out more for its message than its style. Comedian and content creator Samay Raina showed up dressed in a plain black T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Say No to Cruise”, triggering speculation online that it was a pointed reference to Aryan Khan’s 2021 drug case, which involved a cruise ship raid.
What Happened
- The event took place on September 17, 2025, in Mumbai, where Bollywood big names gathered to celebrate Aryan’s new series. Samay Raina was among the guests.
- His T-shirt caught attention immediately. It reads “Say No to Cruise.” The wording seemed relevant because Aryan was involved in a high-profile legal case in 2021 following a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) raid on the Cordelia Empress cruise ship.
- The phrase and the context together led many netizens to believe Raina was taking a subtle jab at Aryan’s past controversy.
Background: The 2021 Drug Case
- In October 2021, Aryan Khan was arrested along with others after a raid by the NCB on a rave party aboard the cruise ship Cordelia Empress, which was bound for Lakshadweep.
- He was denied bail multiple times, spent over three weeks in custody, and was later released on bail. In May 2022, the case was closed against him due to insufficient evidence.
Public & Online Reaction
- Social media was quick to pick up on the message. Many praised Samay Raina for what they saw as bold or humorous, others were critical, calling it unnecessary or provocative.
- Some Reddit users reacted with amusement. Comments like “Oh God!!! Samay is born different. Who would have thought?” and “He has guts … but bro should really hesitate” were shared.
- Others questioned whether the T-shirt was actually meant as a dig, or just coincidental. There’s no confirmation from Raina himself that it was meant to reference Aryan’s case.
What Raina Said (or Didn’t Say)
- As of the latest reports, Samay Raina has not issued a statement clarifying whether his T-shirt was explicitly directed at Aryan Khan’s past or was just a cheeky play on words.
- No public comment about offense, intent, or apology has been made either.
Industry & City Perspective: Mumbai Nightlife & Celebrity Events
- In cities like Mumbai, fashion and statements at premieres are often taken as more than aesthetic; they can be seen as statements, commentary, or social media fodder. Premiers are heavily photographed, shared, and scrutinized.
- The premiere of The Ba**ds of Bollywood* was especially notable: intense media coverage, heavy celebrity attendance, and high public interest in Aryan Khan’s comeback and creative work. That amplified whatever Samay Raina wore.
Possible Implications & Debate
- Freedom of Expression vs. Sensitivity: Some argue comedians and public figures should be free to make statements, while others feel referencing a past legal case — especially one that ended in acquittal — might be insensitive or in poor taste.
- Public Memory: The case still lingers in public memory; even though Aryan was cleared, the cruise ship incident remains part of his public narrative. Clothing like this T-shirt demonstrates how past controversies remain in cultural discourse.
- Publicity and Viral Moments: Whether intentional or not, Raina’s T-shirt has generated buzz around Aryan’s new series. It’s given extra media oxygen—sometimes such moments are embraced, sometimes criticized.
Summary
Samay Raina wore a “Say No to Cruise” T-shirt at Aryan Khan’s premiere, sparking online chatter that it referenced Aryan’s 2021 cruise drug case. No confirmation from Raina; reactions are mixed.