Apoorva Mukhija, the social media influencer known as "The Rebel Kid," has become a prominent figure in the Indian digital landscape. With a massive following of 2.7 million on Instagram, the 24-year-old first gained recognition during the COVID-19 lockdown for her relatable and humorous skits. Her journey from online content creator to mainstream success is highlighted by endorsements from major brands like Nike, Maybelline, Meta, Swiggy, and Amazon, and she was featured on Forbes' list of Top 100 Digital Stars in 2025.
However, Mukhija's rise to fame has not been without controversy. Her appearance on comedian Samay Raina's YouTube show, "India's Got Latent," sparked significant backlash due to comments she made during the show. This controversy added to the already raging debate over controversial remarks made by fellow guest Ranveer Allahbadia. Mukhija's statements led to legal action, and she was summoned by the Mumbai Police to record her statement.
The fallout from the "India's Got Latent" controversy had a significant impact on Mukhija's personal life. She faced severe online abuse, including rape threats, death threats, and acid attack threats. The abuse extended to her parents, with trolls targeting her mother's Instagram account. This experience led her to remove all her posts from Instagram and caused financial harm. In a tearful interview, Mukhija shared how her father supported her despite the backlash, even though he initially held traditional views against women in the entertainment industry.
In the aftermath of the controversy, Mukhija took a hiatus from social media. Upon her return, she addressed the situation in a YouTube video titled "Till I Say It Is," where she spoke emotionally about the experience. She acknowledged the hurt caused by her comments and reiterated her regret, stating, "I should have been more mindful, and I truly have learned my lesson." She also shared screenshots of the abuse she had received and spoke about enduring abuse in a past relationship, being slut-shamed by family, and self-harming during her teenage years.
Amidst the controversies, Mukhija's resilience and outspoken nature have also garnered her support. Pakistani actress Hania Aamir condemned the online abuse against Mukhija, while others have praised her for standing up for herself.
Adding another layer to her already eventful career, rumors are swirling that Apoorva Mukhija may be joining Karan Johar's new reality show, "The Traitors". The show, set to stream on Amazon Prime Video, involves a game of trust, betrayal, and deception where contestants compete for a cash prize. Karan Johar hinted at Mukhija's participation in an Instagram reel, describing a "rebel" who is "still a kid at heart but big on drama". Mukhija further fueled the speculation with a cryptic Instagram post captioned, "I've always liked games. especially the ones you don't know you're in." It was confirmed that Apoorva Mukhija is participating on "The Traitors" alongside other known personalities like Uorfi Javed and Elvish Yadav.
"The Traitors" seems like the perfect platform for Mukhija, who has consistently defied expectations and challenged societal norms. Whether she is playing the role of a faithful or a traitor, one thing is for certain, Mukhija will be "kaleshi" (troublesome) but never a traitor to herself and her beliefs. And Karan Johar, known for his keen eye for talent and drama, seems to have recognized this unique quality in her.
