Apoorva Mukhija Breaks Silence On Kalawa Controversy; Says "It Was My Breaking Point..."

Content creator and social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija, better known as The Rebel Kid, has finally addressed the controversy surrounding a video in which she cut off her sacred Hindu kalawa (mauli) thread before attending Coachella earlier this year. The incident sparked widespread criticism online and added to a string of controversies that took a toll on her mental health.

In a recent YouTube video, Apoorva opened up about the emotional impact of the backlash, revealing that the kalawa controversy became a turning point in her life.

Apoorva Opens Up About Mental Health:

During her Storytime video, Apoorva reflected on the difficult period she faced after the backlash from the 'India's Got Latent' controversy and subsequent online criticism.

She said, “After the Latent controversy, my mental health was so f****g bad that I constantly felt that I had no purpose in life. Whatever I do, I was getting abuses and cancelled. I was getting anxiety even after waking up. Tanmay Bhatt, Samay Raina had so much motivation to do something so much with her career. I had given up. I was not this person earlier, and my last breaking point was the kalawa controversy.”

The influencer admitted that the constant criticism left her emotionally exhausted and struggling to find direction in life.

Her Perspective On Faith And The Kalawa Incident:

Apoorva also explained the context behind the viral Coachella video that triggered the controversy. According to her, the decision was not intended to offend anyone's religious sentiments.

Photo Credit: Instagram

She shared, “I was at Coachella and doing a get ready with me video. I cannot be normal and I had to make some jokes. So I was wearing the kalawa on my hand and I cut it saying that the thread would ruin my aesthetic. Now, my relationship with God is very new. I just started believing in God, it gives me a lot of peace. But I don't think God believes in rules, that he cares if I cut a thread or something. So when I was doing it I did not think it was wrong. I knew my God would not mind. But ofcourse other people who believed in the same God got upset about it… Even though I have seen bigger controversies in my life that was my breaking point truly. Whatever I do, I say, I cannot say anything right. I was mad, and no one knew how to handle me.”

A New Chapter In New York:

Amid these challenges, Apoorva recently moved to New York to pursue an MBA. She acknowledged feeling both excited and nervous about starting a new life abroad.

While she described studying in New York as a dream come true, she admitted that leaving behind her friends, career and familiar surroundings in India has been daunting. Apoorva will be living in a dorm and experiencing student life once again.

Career Highlights:

Apoorva made her acting debut with 'Nadaaniyan' and has since appeared in reality shows like 'The Traitors' Season 1 and 'Lock Upp' Season 2, where she joined as an informant. As she begins a new academic journey, the influencer hopes to embrace fresh experiences while navigating the next phase of her personal and professional life.