Police have initiated an inquiry into a complaint against filmmaker Karan Johar, actors Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, which alleged that the trio had used "filthy and abusive language" on AIB Roast event held in Mumbai.

According to the written complaint by Akhilesh Tiwari, President of Brahman Ekta Seva Sanstha in Mumbai, filed at Sakinaka police station on Monday, the trio, along with other performers allegedly passed abusive and offensive remarks against one another and even at the audience during an episode of the AIB Knockout, a comedy show, police said. The episode, which was uploaded on YouTube and other websites last week, has gone viral.

In his four-page complaint at Sakinaka police station, Tiwari sought a criminal complaint against Johar, Kapoor and Singh as well as the show organiser, among others.

"I have handed over a letter to Sakinaka police demanding a criminal complaint be lodged against these so-called youth icons Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The show, which can be seen on YouTube and other websites, was extremely abusive and it is not only ruining the clean image of the Indian culture & women, but is also misleading today's youth," said Tiwari.

The 43-year-old complainant claimed that the programme was organised in south Mumbai on December 20 and was uploaded on websites last week. "I sought action against the event organisers and other performers as well, who passed dirty comments with such audacity. The police action would be a deterrent to them so that they would not dare to do such acts publicly in future," he said.

Prasanna More, Senior Inspector at Sakinaka police station, said, "We have received the written complaint. We are inquiring into the matter. Once we reach a conclusion, appropriate action would be initiated, if required."

The show started off with Karan Johar announcing, "Let the filth begin." Other performers had cracked jokes at audience that included actors Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha and Alia Bhatt, the complaint said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra government also ordered an inquiry into the three-part AIB Knockout videos. "Officials of the Culture Department will examine the videos for the content. If found vulgar, further action will be initiated," Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde said.

The first video of the three-part AIB Knockout on YouTube cautioned users – "following video is filthy, rude and offensive". Roasts is a relatively new genre for Indians watching insult comedy online or during live performances.

The AIB Knockout on YouTube had social media buzzing with their roast of Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh with Karan Johar officiating as 'roastmaster' in front of 4,000 people at Worli in Mumbai.