Apoorva Mukhija breaks down in tears recalling what she went through during India’s Got Latent Controversy; says ‘I cried so much, it was dehumanizing and I felt I made my dad live his worst nightmare’

Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, has finally broken her silence following the explosive India’s Got Latent controversy. In her first detailed post since the incident, Apoorva went live on YouTube, breaking down in tears as she recounted the emotional trauma she had endured. Speaking candidly, she revealed the emotional toll it took on her and her family. The video gave a raw, unfiltered account of the entire ordeal — from the controversial episode, the aftermath, the disturbing online backlash, to the legal FIR, her visits to lawyers, and even fleeing the country. Apoorva shared how deeply the incident shook her, and how difficult it was for her parents to see her go through such public humiliation. Her brave and emotional retelling has sparked fresh support across social media, with fans applauding her courage.

Honestly, people told me not to talk about this incident. I should just let it go. I should start posting on social media normally jaise kuch hua hi nahi hai like I was not involved and my AI version went through all this. In last two months, every one narrated my story but no one narrated it properly. One thing a good story needs is originality.

It all started in August 2024. I had attended an event as an influencer. I was looking for a friend there, but I spotted Samay Raina. I was fangirling. He waved at me and I was shocked that he noticed me. We started talking and he invited me to India’s Got Latent. And it’s like you are in Indian Idol and someone asks you, ‘Aap Mumbai aaoge?’ It was my dream to do Latent show. He took my number and left. I texted everyone, like everyone saying that I have been invited. I kept waiting to get a text from Samay for one and half months. Then I became a Latent hater because of not getting a call. Then like a besharam I called him and he was shooting outdoor and I became a Latent lover again. Then I got a text from him for November, when I was not supposed to be but I cancelled all plans to say yes to the show.

It was 6-7 hours of shoot and in the initial hour, I said nothing. I was freaking out thinking I can do nothing. I kept howling like a 10-yr-old kid that I can’t do comedy. Samay sat me down and comforted me. Then I composed myself and decided to be the funniest person on the panel. Samay introduced me as ‘Prajakta Koli from Meesho’ and I was looking to say something funny. So I end up saying ‘Haan taiyaar hu m*rwaane ke liye’. That’s what I said. I thought I am so stupid and decided to stay silent. And a friend of mine from the audience said ‘Toh achhe joke maar na?’ And another guy from the audience says ‘Iska daaru band karwa’. And I lost it because that friend is very close to me. So I told him to behave. But this guy kept on talking about my private parts. I hit back slamming him because I didn’t expect someone to talk to me like that in public audience. It genuinely came from anger and retaliation. My intention with that statement was not to hurt anyone except for that guy’s ego.

I never wanted to hurt anybody. I am very very sorry. I will be very mindful of my words. I promise I will do better going forward. I have learnt my lesson. Even under the pressure I said some more jokes in bad taste. When I heard them, I didn’t find it funny. I don’t know why I said those jokes to seem cool. But then, that episode didn’t release and I thought God is kind. Samay dropped new episodes. I literally bought subscription to watch the episode and I found it pathetic. I didn’t think people will find it problematic because it is latent.

Someone asked me if I am getting affected by ‘X’ account. I am too cool for X. But then I literally downloaded X to see what’s happening and my name was nowhere. It was Ranveer Allahabadia, I thought it was Ranveer bhai problem, sorry Ranveer you have to deal with all this.

I was in a delusion. I was shooting for my show on OTT and everyone praised me. Then someone called me to check my ‘X’ account. There were tweets ‘Why no FIR against this filthy lady Apoorva Mukhija. I thought it is fake news. My manager told me to concentrate on my shoot. Latent me kitne logon ne kitna kuch bola hai par uske liye FIR? Aisa kaisa hoga? Then my manager called me again told me that there is going to be graphic hate and lots of other FIRs, I can’t go back home and if I have any other place. I checked my DMs and it was flooded with acid attack threats. One guy wrote, ‘I know your building and I am going to do …this you’. I was scared because the one thing I liked about Mumbai was security. I went to a friend’s place.

Next day, I went to the lawyer’s office. Even they said it was my fault and that I shouldn’t have said such words. I mean who’s side are you on? I thought they would be supporting me because I am paying such amount of money. But I accepted defeat and requested them to save me. I went to the Police station to give my statement. There were a lot of paps there. I exchanged my outfits with my friend. It worked when my friend stepped out. But one woman, who was smoking, spotted me and all the paps surrounded me. It was so dehumanizing.

It went viral, it was played on national news. All my family, distant relatives saw it. They called my dad. My dad kept calling me. I thought he would call me to say that I have put them to shame. But when I didn’t receive his calls, he texted me saying no matter what happens he will be there for my support. I just felt so bad and I thought I let me down and made him live his worst nightmare. The only good thing about this entire controversy was it brought me closer to my family. So thanks, guys.

I decided to go to Udaipur with my friend because I didn’t want to stay in Mumbai. I was moving around with bodyguards and a driver. News came out that I am in Udaipur as IIFA ambassador. Fake news alert. Why will they take me? For my performance in Nadaaniyaan? I literally had to flee from Udaipur to Jaipur to take a flight. I called my parents to check on them. My brother told me that my mother’s BP had shot up. I literally googled to see what condition it is, and it was serious. People found my mother’s social media ID and commented all those harassing things. They are really simple people and thought me good things. But they had to go through so much during this entire controversy.