YouTuber Purav Jha has stepped forward to defend his friend and fellow influencer Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as Rebel Kid, amid criticism from actress Jasmin Bhasin, who labeled Mukhija as badtameez (ill-mannered) during their time together on the reality show The Traitors.
In a candid interview with Filmygyan, Jha emphasized that Mukhija's bold nature is a key part of her identity and one that resonates strongly with her audience. "Har insaan ka ek character hai. Har koi same nahi ho sakta. Apoorva ka ek bold character hai. Apoorva ki janta bohot pasand karti hai us cheez ko. Ab uski janta ko hi ye pasand hai toh uski kya galti hai?" he said, highlighting that her unapologetic attitude is what her followers appreciate.
Jha went on to contextualize Mukhija’s behavior on the show, saying, "It’s not like Apoorva is out on the street yelling at strangers. The show’s environment itself was very toxic. That’s just her bold nature." While defending her, he also stressed the need for balance in such dynamics: "You have to keep both sides on the same page."
The tension between Jasmin Bhasin and Apoorva Mukhija was one of the highlights of The Traitors, with Bhasin repeatedly calling Mukhija ill-mannered, while Mukhija dismissed her as "stupid." The friction between the two never eased, with Bhasin gravitating towards Uorfi Javed, while Mukhija formed a bond with Purav Jha.
The show concluded on July 3 with Uorfi Javed and professional poker player Nikita Luther emerging as the winners. Despite the show’s end, the conversations and controversies it sparked continue to resonate — with Jha’s support for Mukhija now adding another layer to the ongoing discourse around personality, perception, and public image in reality television.
