YouTuber Apoorva Makhija, widely known as The Rebel Kid, has been removed from Rajasthan Tourism’s treasure hunt shoot in collaboration with IIFA. The decision comes in the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding the YouTube show India’s Got Latent, which has sparked protests and legal actions.
In an official statement, the Rajasthan Tourism Department confirmed that IIFA had informed them about Apoorva’s removal from their list of promoters. She was originally scheduled to participate in a promotional treasure hunt shoot in Udaipur on February 20, alongside actor Ali Fazal, with key locations including City Palace, Amarai Ghat, and Pichola Lake. However, amid mounting pressure and opposition, her name was discreetly taken off the list. While no official reason has been cited, sources suggest that the protests and threats against her visit to Rajasthan were instrumental in the decision.
The controversy escalated following a case filed in Kota on February 13 against influencers linked to India’s Got Latent. The backlash gained further momentum when the Rajput Karni Sena voiced strong opposition to Apoorva’s participation. Udaipur division chief Dr. Paramveer Singh Dulwat criticized her presence, 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.”
With the situation intensifying, Apoorva’s removal highlights the growing impact of online controversies on mainstream collaborations, reflecting the challenges influencers face when navigating public and political sensitivities.
