In the wake of the government’s ban on 25 OTT platforms, including ALTT and ULLU, for allegedly hosting vulgar and obscene content, Ekta Kapoor issued a clear statement distancing herself and her mother, Shobha Kapoor, from ALTT. Posting on Instagram, Ekta Kapoor emphasised that neither she nor Shobha Kapoor have any current connection to ALTT, having stepped down from the platform’s association as far back as June 2021.
Addressing media speculation, Ekta Kapoor clarified, “Media reports have been in circulation about ALTT being disabled by the authorities, however, contrary to such reports, Ms Ekta Kapoor and Mrs Shobha Kapoor are not associated in any capacity whatsoever with ALTT and they had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021. Any insinuation contrary to the above facts is strongly denied and media is requested to report the accurate facts.” She further stated, “Balaji Telefilms Limited is fully compliant of all applicable laws and continues to operate its business with the highest standards of corporate governance,” concluding her statement with the caption, “To whomsoever it may concern.”
In an earlier conversation with Faye D’Souza, Ekta Kapoor reflected on her time running ALTT, formerly known as ALTBalaji, saying she was “offending a new person every day.” She explained her intention to portray content in a progressive light, sharing, “Because everyone is telling me that you are making these women wear sarees, it is regressive. I think that it is equally progressive and this is equally progressive. Why not celebrate women in costumes like you celebrate women in sarees?”
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in coordination with several ministries and industry bodies, has ordered the blocking of 25 OTT apps and websites including ALTT, ULLU, and Desiflix for hosting content deemed obscene, vulgar, and in some cases pornographic. Officials identified platforms such as Big Shots App, Gulab App, HotX VIP, and Mojflix among those violating legal provisions. The action follows complaints from the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and public concerns raised over the past year.
Notifications were issued under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021, to ensure these platforms are inaccessible. Authorities noted the content involved sexual innuendos and explicit scenes lacking any social message or storyline. Despite warnings issued last September to cease publishing such material, several platforms continued violations, prompting the ban. Notably, some had resumed distributing banned content under new domains after previous blocks in March 2024. Earlier this year, ULLU had voluntarily removed the web series House Arrest following ministry intervention.
