Cinema VinesApoorva Mukhija, better known online as The Rebel Kid, has opened up about the toll that a string of controversies has taken on her mental health. In a recent YouTube “Storytime” video, the 22‑year‑old influencer described how a series of public disputes, culminating in the “kalawa” incident, pushed her to a breaking point.
The controversy began in April when Mukhija posted a clip of herself cutting her sacred Hindu kalawa (mauli) thread with scissors while filming a “get ready with me” video for the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. The kalawa, a thread tied around the wrist that signifies devotion, is considered a symbol of faith in many Hindu traditions. Viewers accused her of disrespecting religious customs, and the backlash quickly spiraled into a broader online attack on her character.
In her confession, Mukhija said the incident followed a prior “latent” controversy that had already left her feeling “f****g bad” mentally. She admitted that constant criticism, abuse, and the fear of being “cancelled” had eroded her sense of purpose. “I was getting anxiety even after waking up,” she explained, noting that even prominent figures like Tanmay Bhatt and Samay Raina seemed to have the motivation to move forward, while she felt she had given up.
When she cut the kalawa, Mukhija told viewers she did so because the thread “would ruin my aesthetic” and because she felt it was a personal expression rather than an act of sacrilege. She added that her recent spiritual awakening—“I just started believing in God, it gives me a lot of peace”—helped her rationalise the act, though she acknowledged that others who share her faith were upset. “Even though I have seen bigger controversies in my life, that was my breaking point truly,” she said.
Beyond the controversy, Mukhija revealed that she has moved to New York to pursue an MBA and to experience a new chapter of life. She will be living in a dorm and returning to student life, a dream she describes as both exciting and frightening because her friends, career, and everything familiar remain in India.
Her career to date includes a debut in the film Nadaaniyan, appearances on The Traitors Season 1, and a recent role as an informant in Lock Upp Season 2. The incident and her subsequent openness have sparked debate about the limits of creative expression and the pressures faced by young influencers in the digital age.
