Social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, widely known as The Rebel Kid, has been removed from Rajasthan Tourism’s promotional treasure hunt campaign in collaboration with IIFA following the ongoing backlash surrounding the controversial YouTube show India’s Got Latent.
Rajasthan Tourism Confirms Removal
In an official statement, Rajasthan Tourism confirmed that IIFA had informed them of Apoorva’s exclusion from the list of IIFA promoters. She was initially scheduled to arrive in Udaipur on February 20 for a promotional shoot at City Palace, Amarai Ghat, and Pichola Lake alongside actor Ali Fazal. However, amid mounting protests and threats against her presence, her name was quietly removed from the campaign.
While no official reason was given, it is widely believed that public outrage and opposition from groups like the Rajput Karni Sena played a role. Udaipur division chief Dr. Paramveer Singh Dulwat criticized the Tourism Department’s decision to feature influencers from India’s Got Latent, stating, “These people release such videos on social media to make themselves superstars. Bringing them to the land of Mewar for IIFA-related shoots will not be tolerated.”
Legal and Public Backlash
The controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent intensified after a case was filed in Kota on February 13 against several influencers associated with the show. The backlash has put multiple creators under scrutiny, further complicating their brand associations.
Despite Makhija’s removal, Rajasthan Tourism’s treasure hunt campaign continues, spanning seven cities with Bollywood celebrities and other influencers, having commenced on February 7.
Who is Apoorva Makhija?
Popularly recognized as Kaleshi Aurat, Apoorva Makhija is known for her bold and unfiltered digital content, often using strong language in her Instagram skits and reels. While her candid commentary has earned her a massive following, it has also drawn criticism.
Makhija has collaborated with top global brands like Nike, Amazon, Meta, and Maybelline, and was featured in Forbes’ Top 100 Digital Stars list. However, controversies are not new to her. Recently, at an event at Delhi Technological University (DTU), she was involved in a heated exchange with the audience, further fueling debates about her approach to content and public engagements.
With the India’s Got Latent controversy continuing to unfold, it remains to be seen how Makhija and other involved influencers navigate the situation moving forward.
