Ullu app removes “House Arrest”, NCW issues notice 

Streaming platform Ullu has taken down its controversial reality show House Arrest following mounting backlash over its explicit content and visuals. Hosted by actor and former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan, the show has recently drawn sharp criticism on social media, with several political figures and viewers slamming it for promoting vulgarity and crossing the line of acceptable content.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) also issued notices to Ullu CEO Vibhu Agarwal and Ajaz Khan, summoning them to appear before the Commission on May 9, 2025. The action follows a viral clip from the show, dated April 29, allegedly showing the host coercing female participants into enacting sexually suggestive acts on camera - despite their visible discomfort and verbal refusal. Contestants were also reportedly asked to undress and perform obscene scenes on-screen.

A particularly disturbing part of the viral clip shows Ajaz Khan pressing a female contestant to demonstrate her knowledge of sex positions. When she hesitates and admits she hasn't explored them, Khan pointedly asks, "Tumne experiment nahi kiya kabhi? (You've never experimented?)".

The situation intensifies as another contestant is asked to direct her co-participants in mimicking various sex positions, which they do on camera, prompting widespread outrage over the coercive and graphic nature of the exchange.

In a strongly worded statement, the NCW said this kind of vulgar content violates women's dignity and sets a damaging precedent for online entertainment. "It disregards the fundamental principles of consent, promotes sexual coercion under the guise of entertainment, and fails to follow any age-appropriate censorship guidelines," said NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.

The Commission noted that, if proven, these acts attract serious penal provisions under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The platform has since removed all episodes of House Arrest from its website and app. An FIR has also reportedly been filed against host Ajaz Khan.

The show, touted as an uncensored, captive-based reality format similar to Bigg Boss or Lock Upp, quickly became a lightning rod for controversy. It featured actresses like Gehna Vashisht, Nehal Vadoliya, and Abha Paul, along with Humeira Sheikh, Sarika Salunke, Muskaan Agarwal, Ritu Rai, Ayushi Bhowmik, Simran Kaur, Jonita D'Cruz, and Naina Chabbra. Male contestants included newcomers Rahul Bhoj, Sankalp Soni, and Akshay Upadhyay.

Clips from the show draw sharp responses from both viewers and public figures. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, revealing that she had escalated the issue of obscene OTT content to the Parliamentary Standing Committee and was still awaiting a formal response.

The incident comes just days after the Supreme Court observed that OTT content can stretch to the "extent of perversity" and stressed that platforms must act with "social responsibility."