YouTuber Apoorva Makhija, widely known as ‘The Rebel Kid’, has been dropped from Rajasthan Tourism’s IIFA treasure hunt shoot following the controversy surrounding the YouTube show India’s Got Latent.
Apoorva Makhija has been dropped from Rajasthan Tourism’s IIFA treasure hunt shoot amid backlash over India’s Got Latent.
YouTuber Apoorva Makhija, popularly known as ‘The Rebel Kid’, has been dropped from Rajasthan Tourism’s treasure hunt shoots in collaboration with IIFA, following the backlash surrounding the controversial YouTube show India’s Got Latent.
In an official statement, the Rajasthan Tourism Department confirmed that IIFA informed them of Apoorva’s removal from the list of IIFA promoters, effectively cutting her off from the campaign. She was initially set to arrive in Udaipur on February 20 for a promotional treasure hunt shoot at City Palace, Amarai Ghat, and Pichola Lake alongside actor Ali Fazal. However, in light of the controversy, her name was quietly removed. While no official reason has been given, it is believed that the ongoing protests and threats against her presence in Rajasthan played a significant role in the decision.
The situation escalated after a case was filed in Kota on February 13 against influencers associated with India’s Got Latent. Adding to the tension, the Rajput Karni Sena strongly opposed Apoorva’s involvement, with Udaipur division chief Dr. Paramveer Singh Dulwat stating, “These people release such videos on social media to make themselves superstars. The Tourism Department is bringing them to the land of Mewar for IIFA-related shoots, which will not be tolerated.”
Despite the controversy, Rajasthan Tourism’s promotional treasure hunt campaign continues, covering seven cities with a lineup of social media influencers and Bollywood stars, having kicked off on February 7.
Apoorva Makhija, also recognized as ‘Kaleshi Aurat’, has been known for her bold and unfiltered content, gaining fame through Instagram skits and reels that offer candid, often explicit, commentary on daily life. While her content has made her a viral sensation, it has also sparked criticism for its strong language.
She has worked with major global brands such as Nike, Amazon, Meta, and Maybelline, and was recognized by Forbes in the Top 100 Digital Stars list. However, this isn’t the first time she has faced public backlash. In a recent event at Delhi Technological University (DTU), she was caught in a heated verbal exchange with the audience, further fueling debates over her approach to digital content and public appearances.
