The controversy surrounding Ullu App’s reality show House Arrest has intensified, sparking a nationwide debate about the ethical boundaries of OTT content and the apparent gaps in digital content regulation. A particularly explicit clip from the show, featuring former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan instructing participants to perform various sex positions on camera, triggered an avalanche of criticism across social media platforms, with many users describing the show as vulgar, degrading, and harmful to viewers—especially younger audiences.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, alarmed by the content's graphic nature, stated she had previously raised concerns about platforms like Ullu and Alt Balaji with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. She emphasized that despite the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's recent action against certain explicit websites, these apps have so far managed to bypass scrutiny and continue streaming objectionable material. In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), she reiterated her demand for immediate regulatory action and a formal response from the Ministry.
Public anger escalated when social media users began sharing the controversial clip, which shows Ajaz Khan asking contestants intrusive and sexually suggestive questions, pushing boundaries that many felt crossed into exploitation. The host goes as far as to instruct female contestants to undress and participate in simulated sexual acts, while others clap and cheer—turning the scene into what many critics described as “soft porn disguised as reality television.”
The backlash led to comparisons with recent incidents like that involving comedian Samay Raina, where many felt that selective outrage was being applied. Raina had faced widespread criticism and even FIRs for offensive content during a live show, yet critics argue that House Arrest is far more explicit, yet no swift legal action has been initiated against its creators or platform.
Barun Raj Singh, BJP Yuva Morcha chief from Bihar, directly appealed to Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging an urgent intervention. He warned that such unregulated and inappropriate content has a deep impact on impressionable minds and called the show a "threat to the moral fabric of society." Multiple users echoed this sentiment, tagging government officials and demanding an outright ban on House Arrest and similar shows, many of which are gaining traction through viral reels and shorts on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
Amid this growing furor, the Supreme Court’s recent statements regarding OTT platforms have gained fresh relevance. In a ruling last week, the apex court said that OTT platforms often carry content that goes beyond permissible limits and called on both the government and streaming giants to uphold their social responsibility. The court issued notices to major players, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Alt Balaji, Ullu Digital, Mubi, and global tech platforms like Google, Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Apple, and X Corp.
The court's remarks underscore a larger concern: the absence of a strict, enforceable regulatory framework governing OTT content in India. While traditional film and television fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), digital platforms currently self-regulate under a voluntary code introduced by the I&B Ministry in 2021—a system that many argue is toothless in practice.
Notably, this isn’t the first time Ajaz Khan has been in the eye of a storm. Known for his controversial on-screen behavior and statements, Khan has faced multiple legal issues in the past. However, his silence amid the current outrage has only intensified public demand for accountability.
Meanwhile, legal experts suggest that unless the government brings in clear-cut legislation or empowers an independent regulatory body to monitor and censor digital content, such controversies will continue to erupt, often only after significant public outcry.
As the matter garners increasing political and legal attention, the future of not just House Arrest but the OTT space in India may be headed toward stricter oversight, tighter content guidelines, and possibly criminal liability for creators who promote obscenity under the guise of entertainment.
