By Anil Merani: The controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia’s comments on “India’s Got Latent” and Ajaz Khan’s “House Arrest” on the Ullu app has ignited a broader debate about explicit content on OTT platforms in India. Both cases have drawn significant public and political scrutiny, actively engaging audiences and raising questions about consistency in content regulation.
Ranveer Allahbadia faced backlash for remarks about his parents’ sexual relations made during a conversation on Samay Raina’s YouTube show, which the Supreme Court deemed obscene. This led to legal action, including a temporary confiscation of his passport and restrictions on his podcast content. The investigation concluded, and his passport was returned on April 28, 2025, allowing him to travel abroad again.
Ajaz Khan’s “House Arrest,” streaming on Ullu and YouTube, has sparked even more intense outrage due to a viral clip in which Khan prompts contestants to demonstrate Kamasutra sex positions. Some reports allege that he further asked women to remove clothing. This has led to widespread criticism from netizens and politicians, including Priyanka Chaturvedi, MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), who flagged the issue to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. BJP leader Chitra Wagh has also called for restrictions. Advocate Vineet Jindal has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Delhi Police, and there are unconfirmed reports of a potential FIR against Khan. The show, which premiered on April 11, 2025, has been labeled a “disgraceful assault on culture” by some, with calls for a ban on both the show and the Ullu app.
The principle of “what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” is significant here: if Allahbadia’s verbal remarks warranted legal repercussions, then Khan’s show, with its more explicit visual content, arguably crosses an additional line. Critics note that Ullu and similar platforms like Alt Balaji have repeatedly evaded bans despite a recent crackdown on others for obscene content, as highlighted by Chaturvedi. The Supreme Court, underscoring the gravity of the issue, has expressed deep concern over the “perversity” of OTT content, issuing notices to platforms like Ullu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, emphasizing their “social responsibility.”
However, there is a counterargument that not all content is judged equally. Allahbadia’s case involved a direct, personal remark that offended cultural sensibilities, while “House Arrest” operates within a reality show format marketed to adults, potentially giving it a different context. Ullu’s content, often labeled “soft porn” by critics, exists in a gray area where explicitness is part of its brand, unlike the comedic context of “India’s Got Latent.” Regulatory bodies may give priority based on public outcry, political pressure, or the platform’s reach. For instance, YouTube’s accessibility to minors versus Ullu’s subscription model could influence the level of scrutiny each faces.
The inconsistency in regulation fuels this ongoing debate. If the government acted quickly against Allahbadia, the lack of immediate action against Ullu suggests either selective enforcement or bureaucratic delays. Netizens on X have questioned why “India’s Got Latent” faced action while “House Arrest” persists, alleging cultural double standards and inadequate oversight. The Supreme Court’s ongoing review of OTT regulations may eventually clarify these disparities, but for now, the public’s demand for equal accountability remains a critical point of contention, highlighting an urgent call for action.