25 OTT Platforms Banned for Obscene Content: Ullu’s ‘House Arrest’ with Ajaz Khan Cited in Government Crackdown
The Indian government banned 25 OTT platforms, including Ullu and ALTT, over pornographic content. Ullu’s controversial show ‘House Arrest’ featuring Ajaz Khan triggered official action.
In a significant regulatory action, the Indian government has banned 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including popular names like Ullu, ALTT, and Hulchul, citing repeated circulation of obscene and pornographic content. Among the many examples raised during the action, Ullu’s controversial reality show House Arrest, hosted by actor Ajaz Khan, became a focal point of concern for the authorities.
‘House Arrest’ Show Raised Major Concerns
The show House Arrest, which featured contestants in captivity-based scenarios, had already drawn widespread criticism earlier in 2025. It was temporarily removed from Ullu’s platform in May following intervention by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Despite this, authorities allege that platforms like Ullu continued to host explicit content, leading to this broader ban.
In the show, host Ajaz Khan was seen asking a female contestant about sexual positions. When she said she was unaware, he reportedly asked other contestants to demonstrate them. In another widely circulated clip, female participants were challenged to remove their undergarments on camera without taking off their clothes. These incidents sparked major public backlash and led to strong reactions from various social groups and the National Commission for Women (NCW).
Regulatory Intervention and Previous Warnings
Sources within the Ministry revealed that communication regarding the inappropriate nature of content on these platforms was first sent in September 2024. However, despite repeated alerts, several platforms allegedly failed to comply with guidelines.
The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body chaired by a former Supreme Court judge, had also taken steps against Ullu and ALTT. According to officials, the council had earlier demanded the removal of over 100 web series from Ullu due to their explicit nature. The platform reportedly complied temporarily but later re-uploaded or restored the content without edits, which the regulators saw as an attempt to bypass warnings.
List of 25 OTT platforms banned in latest crackdown:
- ALTBalaji (ALTT)
- Ullu
- Big Shots App
- Desiflix
- Boomex
- NeonX VIP
- Navarasa Lite
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Bull App
- ShowHit
- Jalva App
- Wow Entertainment
- Look Entertainment
- Hitprime
- Fugi
- Feneo
- ShowX
- Sol Talkies
- Adda TV
- HotX VIP
- Hulchul App
- MoodX
- Triflicks
- Mojflix
Reaction and Escalation
Public criticism played a key role in escalating the issue. A social media post on platform X directly tagged Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and described House Arrest as “beyond the definition of vulgar,” demanding immediate action. The viral spread of the show’s content, often compared to an unregulated version of Bigg Boss, further intensified calls for stricter regulation.
Following the controversy, both Ajaz Khan and Ullu founder Vibhu Agarwal were summoned by the NCW. The show and the platform’s repeated pattern of ignoring warnings contributed significantly to the decision to impose a blanket ban.
What This Ban Means
The ban reflects the government’s increasingly assertive stance on regulating online streaming content. While creative freedom has been a hallmark of the OTT space in India, this move signals a clear boundary when it comes to content considered obscene or exploitative.
This action may also prompt other OTT platforms to reassess their content strategies, especially those relying on sensationalism for viewership. The future of platforms like Ullu and ALTT remains uncertain, particularly if they fail to align with regulatory expectations moving forward.
