 "'India’s Got Latent' row: After Ranveer Allahbadia, why influencer Apoorva Mukhija, aka Rebel Kid, is under fire")
Trouble for the guest panellists on the latest episode of comic Samay Raina’s YouTube show, India’s Got Latent, continues brewing. Since YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s crude remarks went viral, clips of another guest judge on the show have surfaced on social media, triggering outrage.
Apoorva Mukhija, aka The Rebel Kid, is also facing flak online after social media users took objection to a vulgar comment she made on the show. Amid severe backlash, several cases have been filed against Allahbadia, Raina, and Mukhija, as well as YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani and stand-up comedian Jaspreet Singh – the other two panellists on the episode of India’s Got Latent.
But who is Apoorva Mukhija and why is she facing the netizens’ wrath? Let’s take a look.
Who is Apoorva Mukhija?
Apoorva Mukhija is a computer science engineer turned content creator. The social media influencer, who goes by The Rebel Kid on Instagram, has 2.7 million followers on the photo and video sharing platform.
Mukhija did her BTech in Computer Engineering from Manipal University, Jaipur. She has also worked as a web developer, marketing intern, and sales engineer analyst.
Hailing from Delhi, she moved to Mumbai reportedly after her undergraduation.
Mukhija, also known as Kaleshi Aurat, gained fame during the COVID-19 lockdown with her relatable content. She has since come to be known for her mini vlogs, candid storytelling, and fashion and travel vlogs.
She was among Forbes’ Top 100 Digital Stars 2023 and bagged the eighth spot on Forbes’ 2024 Creator List. She wrote after the 2024 honour, “Look maa I am on Forbes India again. This is my second year of being on this list and a lot has changed in the past one year, in fact my most difficult year professionally was the last one year.”
The influencer has also bagged other accolades, including the 2024 Cosmopolitan Blogger Award and the 2024 Entrepreneur India Award (Rising Star of the Year).
Mukhija has reportedly partnered with over 60 major brands, including OnePlus, Netflix, Spotify, Google, Hotstar, Amazon, Maybelline, Nike, Swiggy, Flipkart and Meta.
The 24-year-old has appeared in the Hindi web series Baat Pakki. She has also featured in TV commercials and digital campaigns.
Prior to India’s Got Latent controversy, a video of Mukhija giving it back to her hecklers at the Delhi Technological University went viral. The college security had to intervene to stop the heated exchange between her and that group.
Why is Apoorva Mukhija being trolled now?
Mukhija’s interaction with a male contestant on the latest India’s Got Latent episode has also stirred a row online. While taking a dig at him, she can be heard making a vulgar “joke” about the participant’s mother.
Many accounts have called her out on her behaviour and some have inaccurately said that she got scot-free because of her gender. In reality, the complaint filed by two Mumbai lawyers also includes the name of Mukhija besides Allahbadia , Raina, Chanchlani and Singh over their alleged use of “abusive language” and “obscene” comments against parents, women, and their body parts.
The Assam Police have also lodged an FIR against them for allegedly “promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on X.
Today @GuwahatiPol has registered an FIR against against certain Youtubers and social Influencers, namely
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 10, 2025
1. Shri Ashish Chanchlani
2. Shri Jaspreet Singh
3. Shri Apoorva Makhija
4. Shri Ranveer Allahbadia
5. Shri Samay Raina and others
for promoting obscenity and engaging in…
Amid legal trouble, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned Allahbadia, Raina, Mukhija and other content creators associated with the episode, along with the show’s producers Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra, on February 17 at the NCW, Delhi office over the “derogatory” remarks on the show.
“These comments, which have sparked widespread public outrage, violate the dignity and respect owed to every individual, particularly in a society that upholds equality and mutual respect," said the women’s panel in an official statement.
National Commission for Women (NCW) summons YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, and others over derogatory remarks; hearing scheduled for February 17 pic.twitter.com/m7Y9Xmez5q
— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2025
The Mumbai Police have called Allahbadia and Raina for an inquiry over the former’s controversial remarks. The Congress’ student wing, National Students Union of India, member Nikhil Ruparel, has also approached the Bandra magistrate court, seeking criminal investigation against Allahabadia, Raina, and the YouTube show’s organisers.
While Allahbadia, aka BeerBiceps, has apologised for his comments that created a storm on social media, others are yet to address the controversy. Mukhija, however, reportedly referred to the row by posting a screenshot of a private chat with a friend, writing, “Me and [friend]’s last two brain cells trying to come up with a solve for the new problem that I created.”
As the police and politicians get involved, it seems that this is not the last we will be hearing of these influencers.
With inputs from agencies
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