Dave Chappelle took aim at fellow comedian Bill Maher in his newly released Netflix special, “Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable,” vocally pushing back against Maher’s criticism of his recent performance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.

In a candid moment onstage, Chappelle referenced his decades-long acquaintance with Maher and dismissed his commentary with an expletive, underscoring his frustration with what he described as ‘‘smug’’ criticism of his choices.

Chappelle’s remarks reflect the broader debate he has ignited over comedy, free speech and international gigs in regions with strict social and political norms.

The exchange stems from earlier comments by Maher, host of HBO’s “Real Time,” who challenged Chappelle’s assertion that he could speak more freely while performing in Saudi Arabia than in the United States.

Maher argued that such comparisons downplayed the significant restrictions on expression in the Kingdom, where censorship laws and limits on speech have long been enforced.

Chappelle addressed this head-on in the special, reiterating his stance that he felt no guilt for taking the Riyadh show and critiquing Maher’s perspective on free speech.

Chappelle’s sharp rebuke of Maher onstage highlights tensions within comedy circles about the ethics of performing abroad and the role of entertainers in engaging with audiences in countries where freedom of expression is tightly controlled.

His response drew attention to differing views on artistic freedom and the responsibilities of high-profile performers, intensifying conversations sparked by his decision to participate in the Saudi event.

The special also addresses a range of other culturally charged topics, reaffirming Chappelle’s willingness to confront controversy directly and unapologetically.