Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Apoorva Mukhija Says Kalawa Backlash Became Her Breaking Point
Apoorva Mukhija is an internet creator also known as The Rebel Kid.
She talked about a difficult time in a new YouTube Storytime video.
During a video filmed at Coachella, she cut a kalawa, which is a religious thread, from her wrist.
She said the thread did not match her outfit.
Apoorva said she did not think God would be upset because her faith does not depend only on rules.
Some people who shared her faith were upset by the video.
She said the criticism added to the stress she already felt after the Latent controversy.
Now she has moved to New York to study for an MBA, although leaving her friends and career in India was difficult.
Apoorva Mukhija said backlash over her kalawa video became her breaking point after the Latent controversy.
She cut the religious thread from her wrist during a Coachella get-ready-with-me video because it affected her outfit’s aesthetic.
Mukhija said she did not consider the act disrespectful because of her personal understanding of God and faith.
She described experiencing anxiety, abuse, cancellation and a loss of purpose amid constant online criticism.
Mukhija has moved to New York to pursue an MBA and return to student life.
- Who
- Content creator Apoorva Mukhija, also known as The Rebel Kid.
- What
- She discussed the backlash over cutting a kalawa and its effect on her mental health.
- When
- She spoke about it in a new YouTube Storytime video after the kalawa and Latent controversies.
- Where
- The kalawa video was filmed at Coachella; Mukhija has since moved to New York.
- Why
- She said constant criticism and backlash became her breaking point and affected her sense of purpose.
Apoorva Mukhija’s View
Critics’ View
Meaning of the kalawa
Apoorva Mukhija’s View
Mukhija said she did not consider cutting the thread disrespectful and believed God would not object because her relationship with faith is personal.
Critics’ View
People who shared the same faith were upset by the act and considered it offensive or disrespectful.
Impact of the backlash
Apoorva Mukhija’s View
Mukhija said the backlash became her breaking point after the Latent controversy and worsened her mental health.
Critics’ View
Critics’ objections contributed to the public controversy, although the articles do not provide further detail about their reasoning.
- Person
- Apoorva Mukhija, also known as The Rebel Kid
- Controversy
- She cut a kalawa from her wrist during a get-ready-with-me video.
- Video location
- Coachella
- Reported impact
- Mukhija described anxiety, abuse, cancellation and feeling that she had no purpose.
- Current move
- She moved to New York to pursue an MBA.
- New lifestyle
- She will live in a dorm and return to student life.
- Other appearances
- She made her acting debut with Nadaaniyan and appeared in The Traitors Season 1 and Lock Upp Season 2.
