OTT Content Regulation Urgently Needed as Ullu’s “House Arrest” Sparks Cultural Outrage
• Ullu’s ‘House Arrest’ Sparks National Fury
• AICWA Slams OTT Vulgarity in Ullu Show
• Censorship Call: Ullu’s Show Triggers Outrage
Ullu’s Web Series “House Arrest” Show Triggers National Uproar Over Obscene Content
OTT content regulation has come under intense scrutiny following a public appeal by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In a letter dated May 2, 2025, AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta has demanded an immediate ban on the OTT platform Ullu and its newly launched reality show House Arrest for allegedly promoting vulgarity, cultural degradation, and the exploitation of women.
The association strongly condemned the show for misrepresenting Indian culture and violating ethical broadcasting standards. Hosted by Ajaz Khan and produced by porn king Vibhu Agrawal, the show allegedly features women performing sexually provocative acts while male participants cheer and laugh, creating what AICWA calls a “digital stage for public humiliation.”
Sprouts News has reviewed excerpts of the complaint, which frame the show as a deliberate attempt to commercialize women’s bodies for TRP and profit under the pretext of “creative freedom.” According to the letter, this goes beyond poor taste—it’s a violation of India’s moral and legal framework.
Demands for FIR, Streaming Ban and Government OTT Monitoring Body
Ullu House Arrest show controversy
AICWA has laid out a six-point demand plan for immediate enforcement. The top demand: a total ban on the Ullu platform and its content distribution rights across streaming, social media, and YouTube. The association also seeks a permanent takedown of House Arrest, describing it as “psychologically harmful and socially corrosive.”
Citing violations under IPC Sections 292 (obscenity), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman), and Section 67 of the IT Act (circulating sexually explicit material), AICWA has urged the government to register FIRs against Ullu owner Vibhu Agrawal and host Ajaz Khan.
A critical component of their appeal includes the creation of a Government-Regulated OTT Content Monitoring Authority. This proposed body would pre-screen digital content, enforce mandatory censorship guidelines, and include representatives from women’s rights organizations and the film industry to ensure fairness and accountability.
Public Harassment Framed as Reality Entertainment Raises Alarms
OTT content regulation
Sprouts News notes the growing concern that reality shows like House Arrest may be normalizing online misogyny and digital voyeurism. According to AICWA’s letter, the show involves scenes where women are asked to strip while men applaud—turning gender-based harassment into public spectacle. Such depictions, it argues, distort youth perception and pose a threat to both female artists and audiences.
This digital shift towards “entertainment through exploitation” has outraged industry workers, policymakers, and child protection groups alike. The association warns that if left unregulated, such shows may set dangerous precedents for OTT platforms operating without cultural or legal accountability.
Also Read: Mumbai Borivali Land Deal Sparks Fury: Trust Sells Public Plot Making Nets Rs 539 Crore.
Cultural Emergency Requires Strong Policy Response; OTT content regulation controversy
AICWA has framed the issue as a national cultural emergency, urging swift government action to protect the moral framework of Indian society. They assert that the OTT revolution must not come at the cost of dignity, decency, and constitutional values.
As highlighted by Sprouts News, this situation demands not just reactive bans, but a long-term digital content regulation policy that balances freedom of expression with social responsibility.
The association has also forwarded the complaint to key stakeholders including the Home Minister, National Commission for Women, the Maharashtra Chief Minister, and the Mumbai Police Commissioner.
