Banned OTT Platforms: From 'This Is Wrong' to 'Move is Appreciated,' Celebrities React To Centre's Ban

Recently, the Indian government banned 25 OTT platforms, citing the most hateful and obscene content as the primary reason for their action. This historic move has started a debate nationally on the idea of content censorship, creative freedom, and control on the web. High-profile individuals in the entertainment world, on the one hand, and the political world, on the other, have spoken with biting differences, indicating just how deep and intricate the problem is.

Kangana, Ravi Kishan Applaud Government’s Action

The decision of the government received a lot of backing from Bollywood actor and politician Kangana Ranaut, who was categorical that OTT platforms such as Ullu and ALTT had never crossed moral limits. She hailed the move as necessary in safeguarding the values of culture.

Likewise, BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan said that it is high time the crackdown was done, as there are some creators who are abusing digital freedom, propagating vulgarity in the name of entertainment.

Ekta Kapoor and Rajeev Shukla Raise Concerns

Conversely, Ekta Kapoor, another of those whose former application ALTT was on the blacklist, made a clarification in the media in which she also claimed she had no current link with the application and no idea of what is currently there. She was stressing the need to distinguish independent creators and platform founders.

Congress president Rajiv Shukla said such a blanket ban is wrong and added that the government must enforce a rating system and accountability of platforms without stifling creativity and restricting the freedom of artists.

More Voices Join the Debate: From Censorship to Responsibility

The film's director, Onir, called the decision a dangerous precedent that would be used by those who seek to misuse non-mainstream voices. Meanwhile, Swara Bhasker, an actor, tweeted that the meaning of obscene is used selectively and may be detrimental to multiple storytelling.

Conversely, cultural critic Ashish Vidyarthi advocated increased control when he stated that OTT material should be subjected to equal expectations of ethics as television or cinema.