The Ullu App NCW Reprimand has ignited a firestorm in India, with the National Commission for Women (NCW) summoning Ullu App CEO Vibhu Agarwal and actor Ajaz Khan on May 9, 2025, over the reality show “House Arrest.” A viral clip from April 29, 2025, showing Khan coercing female contestants into explicit acts despite their discomfort, drew widespread condemnation. The NCW, led by Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, labeled the content “deeply disturbing,” accusing it of violating women’s dignity and promoting coercion under the guise of entertainment. This controversy, amplified by X posts like @TimesAlgebraIND’s, exposes the darker side of unregulated OTT platforms and their impact on vulnerable audiences, especially children.
At the heart of this uproar is Preeti Sharma, a 38-year-old single mother from Mumbai. When her 14-year-old son stumbled upon Ullu’s explicit content via a friend’s phone, Preeti’s world turned upside down. “He was shaken, asking questions I wasn’t ready for,” she told The Indian Express, her voice heavy with worry. With no KYC or age verification on Ullu, as flagged by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in a 2024 complaint, such content is a click away for minors. Preeti’s nights were spent counseling her son, filing complaints with Amboli Police, and urging NCW action. Her struggle reflects a broader parental fear: unchecked digital platforms endangering young minds.
The Ullu App NCW Reprimand stems from “House Arrest,” a show likened to “Bigg Boss” but with explicit tasks, including Khan pressuring women to demonstrate sexual positions, per News18. Mumbai Police filed an FIR on May 2 against Khan, producer Rajkumar Pandey, and others under the IT Act and POCSO Act, following activist Gautam Ravriya’s complaint. The NCPCR had earlier warned in March 2024 that Ullu’s lack of age controls violates Section 11 of POCSO, with shows allegedly targeting schoolchildren. Maharashtra’s Women Commission and BJP leader Chitra Wagh demanded a ban, citing harm to societal values and children’s mental health. Ullu removed the show’s episodes, but the damage was done.
India’s OTT landscape, hosting 60+ platforms, faces scrutiny. The 2024 ban of 18 apps by the I&B Ministry spared Ullu, sparking questions on X, like @priyankac19’s call for stricter oversight. With 90% of Indian teens owning smartphones, per a 2024 IAMAI report, and 70% accessing OTT platforms, the risk of exposure is real. NCW’s Rahatkar stressed that content flouting consent and decency faces Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita penalties. Preeti’s fight mirrors thousands of parents navigating a digital minefield, where apps exploit lax regulations, threatening cultural values and child safety.The Ullu App NCW Reprimand underscores urgent needs: robust age verification, stricter content laws, and parental controls. Preeti now monitors her son’s phone, attends cyber-safety workshops, and advocates for school campaigns. As India pushes for digital growth, with OTT revenue hitting Rs 12,000 crore in 2024, per FICCI-EY, balancing innovation with ethics is critical. This controversy, echoing 2024’s NCPCR action against Ullu, demands accountability. Parents, policymakers, and platforms must unite to shield children from digital dangers, ensuring entertainment doesn’t become exploitation.