Instagram content creator Apoorva Mukhija, who featured in the controversial episode of "India's Got Latent," has made a public apology for what she had said on the show.
Mukhija, fondly known as 'The Rebel Kid' to her 3 million+ fans, admitted that she was not careful with her words. After facing heavy online criticism, she had removed all her posts last week after being heavily trolled.
The influencer was part of a panel discussion on the show in which YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia made controversial comments regarding sex and parenting. While Allahbadia was confronted with a wave of backlash, a clip showing Mukhija also started trending, eliciting sharp responses across social media sites.
Samay Raina, the stand-up comedian who created and hosted the show for YouTube, took down all the episodes in response to the outrage. Mukhija, Raina, Allahbadia, and others involved in the project are being subject to multiple police complaints (FIRs) against their on-air statements.
In a emotional video posted on her Instagram Wednesday night, Mukhija discussed the controversy:
.I've hurt a lot of people and that's literally the last thing I want to do. I actually make stuff to make people laugh and entertain them. I never wanted to hurt anyone and I'm sorry, so so sorry. I should have been more careful with my words but I've learned my lesson and I swear I'll do better in the future.". I just wish you people could forgive me and I am really sorry if I offended your feelings.
She said that she had been truly enthusiastic about appearing on the show, which was shot over a number of hours, interrupted by a brief intermission. In Mukhija's opinion, she hardly spoke during the first half of the shoot except for getting away one joke.
"I was sitting there freaking out that I can't do this. I texted my manager that I don't want to be here and she said don't overthink, be yourself," she said.
Referring to the latter part of the episode, Mukhija said one of the guests uttered a derogatory comment about her body, causing her to react emotionally.
"Normally, you would expect someone to make remarks like that online because they are anonymous there and they know that there are no actual repercussions, but you do not expect individuals to make something like that before a live crowd. So when I made the remark, it really did not come from a place of trying to be humorous or to have a moment or to be vicious. It really came from being angry and defensive. My desire was not to hurt anyone, other than the ego of that guy," she said.
Mukhija admitted that although she made more jokes throughout the episode, she now realizes they were in bad taste and not even funny.
"I don't know why I was saying these random things just to seem cool but I am very sorry. They were all in bad taste and I should not have said such stupid things on a show."
The influencer confessed she had been worried if people would find her humorous, without even acknowledging how questionable her tone would read considering the nature of "India's Got Latent."
She also stated that her manager dissuaded her from going back home because of the safety issues, as her home address had been made public.
"I began reading my DMs and they were all graphic of how people want to rape me, throw acid and that sort of thing," she said, adding that the day she went to the police station to make her statement, she "cried so much" because the paparazzi made her feel "dehumanised."
Mukhija revealed that even though her parents have been tolerant, cyber bullies went to the extent of targeting her mom by leaving sickening comments on her social networking site.
"I deserve this because I did this. My parents did not deserve this," she said.
In a measure of responsibility, Mukhija stated that profits from the removed show will go to a charitable organization helping the victims of acid attacks, rape, and domestic violence.
"I have been the laughing stock, punching bag and the girl that they would rape, kill and throw acid on if they saw her alive and I really thought that it was over. But it's not over till I say it is," she finished.
