A controversial clip from a reality show streamed on OTT platform ‘ULLU’ has triggered massive backlash on social media, drawing sharp responses from both ruling and opposition leaders. The viral video, taken from the web series House Arrest hosted by former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan, shows contestants being asked to discuss and demonstrate Kama Sutra sex positions on camera.
The footage, which quickly circulated online, led Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi to question why the government had not yet banned such platforms. In a post on X, she wrote, “I have raised this in the standing committee that apps such as this, namely, Ullu App and Alt Balaji have managed to escape the ban by I&B ministry on apps for obscene content. I am still awaiting their reply.”
Chaturvedi also reminded that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) had previously banned 18 OTT platforms in March 2024 for streaming “obscene, vulgar, and, in some instances, pornographic content.” She added, “Surprisingly 2 of the biggest apps were kept out—Ullu and Alt Balaji. Will I&B tell the country why were they left out from this ban?”
The uproar comes just days after the Supreme Court, on April 28, issued notices to the Centre, major OTT platforms, and social media companies over a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking regulations on obscene content. A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih called it an “important concern” and sought responses from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Alt Balaji, ULLU, Meta, Google, Apple, and others.
यह नहीं चलेगा @MIB_India , हमारी कमिटि इसपर कारवाई करेगी https://t.co/mn2EpYgPVP
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) May 1, 2025
BJP MPs Join the Chorus
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also addressed the issue on X, saying, “This will not work @MIB_India, our committee will take action on this.”
Barun Raj Singh, BJP Yuva Morcha’s Bihar chief, demanded that such shows be removed immediately. “They talk about on camera sex position (sic)… The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting sleeps with its eyes closed. Such shows should be stopped immediately,” he wrote, tagging I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and urging him to “save our children.”
Netizens React Strongly
Social media erupted in criticism over the vulgarity of the show. One user commented, “Damn, how low the TV shows have stopped (sic) to.” Another wrote, “What… is this? It’s neither funny, nor entertaining and not even porn. Something is weirdly wrong with producers and directors nowadays where crass is seen as desirable.”
Not the First Time OTT Has Sparked Controversy
This controversy follows a similar uproar earlier this year involving influencer and podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia. He faced police complaints and legal trouble after making a remark on sex and parents during a now-deleted comedy show, India’s Got Latent. The Supreme Court granted him interim relief but criticised his statement, calling it “vulgar” and saying he had a “dirty mind”.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to respond officially to the demands for a ban on the ULLU platform and a broader regulatory framework for OTT content.
