Apoorva Makhija, also known for her digital personas The Rebel Kid and Kaleshi Aurat, has recently found herself embroiled in a storm of controversy after her appearance on Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent. The episode, which featured well-known influencers like Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Ranveer Allahbadia (commonly known as Beer Biceps), sparked a massive backlash due to its inappropriate content. A particular remark made by Makhija, known for her edgy humor and uncensored style, led to widespread criticism from viewers.
The Controversial Episode
The episode in question, available only to paid channel members, pushed the boundaries of what many considered to be acceptable comedy. Among various distasteful moments, one of the most shocking instances came when Apoorva Makhija responded to a comment about ‘vaginal sensation’ with a statement that left viewers in utter disbelief. She asked, “Kabhi vagina dekhi hai maa se nikalne ke baad?” (Have you ever seen a vagina after exiting your mother?). The comment was deemed deeply inappropriate, disgusting, and out of line by many people who watched the show. While Makhija’s statement might have been intended as dark humor, it sparked an intense backlash.
The episode quickly became a topic of online discussion, with social media users expressing their discontent. Many viewers found the humor not just vulgar but disrespectful to the audience and participants of the show. The panel, including other popular influencers, laughed off the remark, further aggravating the situation. The jokes, coupled with the coarse language, drew criticism for normalizing offensive behavior under the guise of humor.
The Growing Backlash
As the episode continued to garner attention, calls for a boycott of India’s Got Latent gained momentum. Viewers accused the show’s creators, along with the influencers involved, of crossing a line with their use of crass humor and offensive language. What was once seen as an edgy, dark humor approach was now being called out as indecency. The backlash wasn’t just about the remark from Makhija but also about the overall tone of the episode, which many argued went beyond acceptable comedy.
On platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, viewers voiced their frustration with the show. Some argued that while humor is subjective, there are limits to what can be considered funny. In their eyes, the remarks made by Makhija and others weren’t just offensive—they were in bad taste, disregarding the sensitivities of a large section of the audience. Critics accused the influencers of using their popularity to make crude jokes, believing that these comments would be excused in the name of “edgy” or “dark” humor.
Who Is Apoorva Makhija?
Apoorva Makhija, the woman at the center of this controversy, is a social media influencer and content creator. Known by her online names, The Rebel Kid and Kaleshi Aurat, she rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her Instagram reels and sketches, which initially focused on edgy humor and candid opinions, quickly caught the attention of a wide audience. Over time, Makhija shifted her focus to more lifestyle-based content, including fashion and travel vlogs.
Her rise to fame was meteoric, and she soon garnered a significant following across various social media platforms. With over 500,000 subscribers on YouTube and more than 2.6 million followers on Instagram, Makhija’s reach extended far and wide. This widespread popularity caught the attention of major global brands such as OnePlus, Meta, Google, Hoststar, Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon. Her ability to create engaging content for both young and older audiences made her a highly sought-after influencer, especially for brand endorsements.
However, while Makhija enjoyed considerable success, her content also attracted significant criticism. Her bold, unfiltered approach to humor and the use of controversial language earned her both admirers and detractors. Some celebrated her for breaking away from traditional norms and speaking her mind, while others found her humor to be distasteful and offensive.
Previous Controversies
The recent uproar on India’s Got Latent is far from the first time Makhija has faced controversy. Her history with internet drama dates back to an incident at Delhi Technological University (DTU), where she got into a heated argument with hecklers. During the exchange, Makhija was seen shouting, “100 baar aur todungi aur tu idhar aaja teri haddiyan bhi todungi” (I’ll break it 100 more times, and come here, I’ll break your bones too), in a video that went viral. Her blunt, aggressive response to the hecklers drew significant attention, and while some defended her right to stand up for herself, others condemned the language used.
This altercation, much like the recent one, sparked a division in public opinion. Supporters of Makhija argued that she was simply being unapologetically herself, while critics felt that her behavior only reinforced negative stereotypes about women and influencers in the digital space. Regardless of the perspective, both incidents highlighted Makhija’s tendency to provoke strong reactions, whether positive or negative, through her unrestrained commentary.
The Broader Discussion: Comedy or Harmful Humor?
The question at the heart of the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent is whether there is a limit to comedy in the digital age. Influencers like Apoorva Makhija have built their careers on pushing boundaries, often using humor to speak about sensitive or taboo subjects. However, the rising backlash against her latest remark highlights a growing concern about the role of influencers in shaping the cultural and moral fabric of society.
Many critics argue that humor should always be mindful of the audience’s sensibilities, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like gender and body image. While dark humor has its place in certain contexts, it can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes or normalize offensive behavior. In this case, Makhija’s comment about vaginal sensation, which some deemed unnecessary and crude, has been seen by many as an example of humor that crosses a line.
On the other hand, some argue that humor is a tool for pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms. Influencers like Makhija use humor to break taboos and start conversations, even if those discussions are uncomfortable. However, this argument becomes complicated when it involves humor that is seen as disrespectful or offensive to a particular group.
Moving Forward: The Future of Influencer Culture
As the backlash against Makhija continues, one thing remains clear: influencers have immense power to shape opinions and impact culture. While many influencers rise to prominence by staying true to their unapologetic selves, the responsibility they bear is also immense. Their words and actions have consequences, and as their reach expands, so does the scrutiny they face.
In the case of Apoorva Makhija, the controversy surrounding her appearance on India’s Got Latent serves as a reminder of the fine line between edgy content and harmful humor. While some may argue that Makhija’s brand of humor is simply an expression of her unique voice, others believe that the time has come for influencers to be more mindful of the impact their words have on their audience.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Makhija is a reflection of a larger conversation about the role of humor in today’s digital culture. It’s a conversation about what’s acceptable, what’s offensive, and how far we can push the envelope before it becomes too much to handle. As influencers continue to gain influence, it will be interesting to see how they navigate the evolving landscape of comedy, responsibility, and public perception.