Udaipur, February 15, 2025 - Content creator and social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija has been dropped from the 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony which is to be held on March 8-9 in Jaipur. This decision was taken following a threat by the Karni Sena to disrupt her planned shoot in Udaipur later this month.

The Karni Sena has allegedly threatened to “physically confront anyone who promotes obscenity…If they land at the Dabok Airport then they will be boycotted”.

Apoorva, also known by her social media name The Rebel Kid, was to take part in Rajasthan Tourism’s treasure hunt shoots in collaboration with IIFA, ahead of the awards ceremony. The shoot was scheduled for February 20 at Udaipur’s City Palace, Ambrai Ghat and Lake Pichola.

"It has been mentioned on behalf of IIFA that the name of social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija has been removed from the list of IIFA ambassadors. She is now not officially a part of the list of IIFA ambassadors," read an official statement from the office of Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister of Rajasthan.

The Rebel Kid, too, has gotten mired in controversy following social and legal backlash against YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia for his inappropriate comment on Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent show. Mukhija was one of the judges on the panel of comedian Raina's YouTube show which featured the objectionable episode. Mukhija has also come under attack on social media and been flooded with hate mail.