India’s Got Latent controversy: Apoorva Makhija dropped from IIFA’s promoters list
text_fields
Social media influencer and actress Apoorva Makhija has been removed from the list of IIFA promoters following the ongoing controversy surrounding the comedy show India’s Got Latent, sources confirmed on Friday.
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) had initially included Makhija among its promoters for the 2025 event, set to take place in Jaipur on March 8-9. However, her name has now been removed from the official list.
Makhija was a guest panellist on India’s Got Latent, where she appeared alongside podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, comedians Ashish Chanchlani and Jaspreet Singh, and host Samay Raina. The show sparked massive backlash after Allahbadia made obscene remarks, leading to legal complaints across the country.
On Thursday, a legal complaint was filed against Allahbadia, Raina, Chanchlani, Makhija, and Singh in Kota, Rajasthan, accusing them of promoting vulgarity and making offensive comments about parents. Filed at the Nayapura police station by a group of lawyers, the complaint argues that the show undermines India's moral values and negatively influences the younger generation.
The complainants - Ritesh Gurjar, Hemlata Sharma, Yash Kumar Nagar, Vishwas Shaktawat, Arvind Rathore, and Rukhsar Syed - demanded action against the show’s participants, claiming it misuses comedy to spread inappropriate content. Assam Police have also registered a case under laws related to obscenity and public morality.
In response to the growing outrage, IIFA officials confirmed that Apoorva Makhija is no longer associated with their promotional lineup. While she had initially been part of the list, her removal follows the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent.
Makhija rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic through her Instagram skits and reels, gaining a substantial following. During her appearance on India’s Got Latent, she was involved in a heated exchange with a contestant, which further fueled discussions about the show's content.