Apoorva Mukhija Controversy Explained: Why 'The Rebel Kid' is Trending in 2025

If you’ve been on social media in August 2025, you’ve likely seen the name Apoorva Mukhija, also known as "The Rebel Kid," dominating your timeline. The popular content creator is currently at the center of a perfect storm involving a public friendship fallout, an ex-boyfriend's diss track, and renewed scrutiny over past controversies.

So, why is everyone talking about her? We break down the full story, from the latest drama to the social media dynamics that keep her in the spotlight.

The Current Firestorm: What Happened in August 2025?

Two major events, happening on the same day, catapulted Apoorva back into the trending charts.

1. The Friendship Fallout with Sufi Motiwala

The most immediate cause of the buzz is the public end of her friendship with fellow creator Sufi Motiwala. The two, who grew close during Karan Johar's reality show The Traitors, have had a dramatic falling out.

On August 17, 2025, Sufi posted an Instagram story officially ending their friendship. He cited online abuse from Apoorva's fanbase as a key reason, stating that she showed no concern for his well-being despite his requests for her to intervene. In his own words:

"I even requested her to ask her audience to calm down because they've been abusing me for no reason. Sadly this person who called me her best friend has no concern for that and or the fact that maybe I'm hurt."

2. The Ex-Boyfriend's Diss Track: "Cute Little Red Flags"

Adding fuel to the fire, Apoorva's ex-boyfriend, Utsav Dahiya, released a diss track titled "Cute Little Red Flags" on the very same day. The song directly targets Apoorva, accusing her of cheating and fabricating stories for content.

Utsav’s accompanying Instagram caption was a stern warning against character assassination for online engagement, stating:

"Never try to gain sympathy by fabricating lies or pushing false narratives just to make content... Having a big following doesn't give you the right to bully your way by rage-baiting your audience."

Who is 'The Rebel Kid'? The Numbers Behind the Fame

To understand why this drama is trending, it’s important to understand Apoorva's massive influence.

• Instagram: 4.2 million followers

• YouTube: 1.27 million subscribers (88.6M+ total views)

• Earnings: Estimated to earn ₹2.5 lakh per day and charge ₹2-6 lakh per Instagram reel.

• Brand Collaborations: Has worked with over 150 major brands, including Nike, Netflix, Amazon, Google, and Meta.

• Accolades: Ranked #8 on Forbes India's Top 100 Digital Stars list for 2024.

Her significant reach means any personal drama quickly becomes a public spectacle.

The Backstory: The 'India's Got Latent' Controversy

This isn't Apoorva's first time at the centre of a major controversy. In February 2025, her appearance as a guest judge on Samay Raina's YouTube show "India's Got Latent" led to nationwide outrage over obscene comments made during the episode. The backlash was severe:

• FIRs were filed against the participants.

• She received death and acid attack threats.

• She was forced to move apartments due to police visits and was dropped by several brands.

Despite this, her career continued to grow, leading to her participation in The Traitors and her Bollywood debut in Nadaaniyan alongside Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan.

Analysis: The Social Media Fame-Controversy Cycle

Apoorva Mukhija's career is a fascinating case study in modern digital fame, where controversy often fuels relevance.

• Algorithmic Amplification: Drama generates high engagement (likes, comments, shares), which tells platform algorithms to show the content to more people.

• Cross-Platform Virality: A story that starts on Instagram (Sufi's post) quickly spreads to YouTube (diss track) and X (reactions), creating a viral loop.

• Fanbase Mobilisation: Her large and loyal fanbase actively defends her, while critics attack, creating a constant cycle of online engagement that keeps her trending.

Public Reaction: A Divided Audience

The public is sharply divided. Supporters see her as a bold young woman facing unfair scrutiny and misogynistic double standards. Critics, however, argue that she often uses controversy for engagement and should be more responsible with her influential platform.

As of now, Apoorva has remained largely silent on the recent events, a strategic move that avoids adding more fuel to the fire while the internet continues to discuss her. This perfect storm of personal drama and professional history is a powerful illustration of the complex intersection of creativity, controversy, and commerce in the digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is Apoorva Mukhija (The Rebel Kid)? Apoorva Mukhija, known as "The Rebel Kid," is a prominent Indian social media influencer, YouTuber, and actor with millions of followers. She is known for her bold content and has worked with over 150 major brands.

2. Why did Apoorva Mukhija and Sufi Motiwala stop being friends? Sufi Motiwala publicly stated that he ended their friendship because Apoorva allegedly showed no concern when her followers were sending him online abuse and hate.

3. What is the diss track about? Her ex-boyfriend, Utsav Dahiya, released a diss track called "Cute Little Red Flags," accusing her of cheating and fabricating stories about their relationship for online content.

4. What was the "India's Got Latent" controversy? It was a YouTube show where Apoorva was a guest judge. The episode sparked national outrage due to obscene comments, leading to FIRs and severe backlash against all participants, including Apoorva.