Kangana Ranaut backs the Indian government’s ban on 25 OTT platforms for soft porn content, praising it as a crucial step to preserve culture and protect youth. Platforms like Ullu and ALTT face action for violating IT laws and indecent representation norms.
In a strong endorsement of recent government action, actress and politician Kangana Ranaut has welcomed the decision to ban several Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms known for streaming soft pornographic content. Ranaut praised the move as necessary for preserving Indian culture and protecting future generations from moral degradation.
The ban, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), targets 25 OTT platforms including popular names such as Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix. Other platforms impacted by the ban include Big Shots App, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks.
The MIB has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disable public access to these apps and websites. The ministry has also requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure the ISPs comply with the directive.
Violation of Indian Laws
According to official sources, the banned platforms were found to be in violation of multiple laws:
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Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which criminalize the publication and transmission of obscene material in electronic form.
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Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertains to obscene acts in public.
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Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, which restricts the portrayal of women in an indecent or sexually explicit manner.
These legal breaches prompted the MIB to take swift action in collaboration with the DoT to ensure that such content is not accessible to the general public.
Kangana’s Response: Culture Over Profit
Speaking exclusively to the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), Kangana Ranaut expressed her support for the move. The ‘Queen’ actress, known for her outspoken views on social and cultural matters, said the crackdown was overdue and vital for national well-being.
“In order to preserve the overall culture of our country and the future path of our youngsters, and so that our society does not collapse completely, this step was much awaited and is now much appreciated. The action taken against these apps, especially the illegal ones, is highly appreciated,” Kangana said.
She emphasized that unrestricted access to such content was contributing to a societal breakdown, calling for a firmer cultural stance in the digital age.
A Growing Concern
Concerns over explicit content on OTT and social media platforms have been growing steadily. In April this year, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a ban on sexually explicit content across digital platforms. Though the Apex Court declined to intervene directly, it emphasized the need for executive action.
“It’s not our domain, you do something,” the court said, urging authorities to take appropriate steps under existing laws.
The recent ban appears to be a direct outcome of growing public concern and legal pressure to regulate digital content, particularly material that may harm social and moral values.
Industry Impact and Public Reaction
While many have welcomed the ban as a step toward moral regulation and cultural preservation, others argue it raises questions about freedom of expression and censorship. Still, the government maintains that the platforms were operating outside the bounds of the law.
The OTT landscape in India has grown rapidly in recent years, offering diverse content across genres. However, with increased reach comes greater responsibility, and platforms are now being held to higher content standards, especially concerning minors and vulnerable audiences.
With popular voices like Kangana Ranaut backing the crackdown, the message from both the public and authorities is clear—there is little tolerance for platforms that exploit loopholes to distribute indecent or unlawful content.
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As the digital space continues to evolve, regulatory frameworks are expected to become stricter. This ban may well serve as a warning to other content creators and distributors to prioritize ethical standards and legal compliance.
