Apoorva Mukhija aka Rebel Kid opens up on Coachella kalawa controversy, calls it her ‘breaking point’: ‘I don’t think Bhagwaan ko fark padta hai agar maine koi dhaga kaat diya to’ |

Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as Rebel Kid, has opened up about one of the most controversial phases of her life. In a new video from New York, the social media influencer revisited the backlash she faced over the Coachella kalawa controversy and described the episode as the “breaking point” of her life. The controversy erupted after Apoorva was seen cutting a kalawa, a red-and-yellow sacred thread traditionally tied around the wrist as part of Hindu rituals. The incident sparked widespread criticism online and became a talking point across social media and media reports.

Apoorva Mukhija calls Coachella kalawa controversy her ‘breaking point’

Reflecting on the episode, Apoorva said, “My last breaking point was the Coachella controversy.”She explained that she had not given the decision much thought at the time and cut the kalawa because she felt it was interfering with the photographs she wanted to take.According to Apoorva, the incident subsequently grew much bigger than she had anticipated, with several media outlets reporting on the controversy and the online backlash intensifying.

Apoorva Makhija on her faith

Apoorva also spoke about her evolving relationship with God and how it shaped her perspective on the controversy. She said, “My relationship with god is very new.”Explaining what faith means to her, she added, “I just started believing in god. It gives me a lot of peace to believe in god. But, I don’t think god comes with rules.”Apoorva further explained why she did not initially believe that cutting the sacred thread was an act of disrespect. She said, “I don’t think bhagwaan ko fark padta hai agar maine koi dhaga kaat diya to.”The influencer made it clear that she does not view her relationship with God as restrictive and therefore did not feel that she had done something wrong by cutting the thread.

Apoorva says the backlash deeply affected her

While Apoorva stood by her personal understanding of faith, she acknowledged that her actions had hurt people who follow religious traditions. She also admitted that the intense backlash had a profound impact on her.“Even though I have seen bigger controversies in life, that controversy was truly the breaking point in my life,” she said.Recalling how she felt during that period, Apoorva described reaching a point where she felt that nothing she did could be considered right.“Us time main aise ho gayi thi ki main kuch bhi kar loon, main kuch bhi bol, main kitna bhi soch loon bolne se pehle, maine kuch bhi sahi nahi kar sakti hoon,” ((Back then, I felt like no matter what I did or said no matter how carefully I thought before speaking, I just couldn’t get anything right) she recalled.

Apoorva Mukhija reveals she went on a solo trip to Bali

The controversy also affected Apoorva’s state of mind and led her to make decisions that she later acknowledged may not have been ideal at the time. She revealed that she subsequently went on a solo trip to Bali, despite knowing that it might not have been the best decision for her then. She went on to reveal how the “purification ceremony” that “changed her life”. She said, “If God could come on earth and talk to me, it was through this ceremony.” She also learned pilates, surfing, puppy yoga and swimming during this duration. The ceremony also solidifed her stance on pursuing the course at New York. She also revealed how she was tied a kalawa after the ceremony and told that at any point, if she wanted to cut it, she could.Makhija said, “And then she ties this thread to my hand which is basically a kalava. It’s a three coloured kalava. I am sorry if I am saying it wrong. But this is what I got from the pooja. And this is like one is for Vishnu, one is for Shani, for three gods. There are three colours. After she ties this on my hand, she says a lot of people say that you cannot cut it because it’s a religious thread but God believes in letting go, God allows you to let go. I have tied this thread for you, it’s job is to protect you. As soon as it has touched your skin, the job is done. Anytime you want to cut it, cut it. God doesn’t judge you. “Following this revelation, Makhija broke down and decided to go to New York to pursue the course. Notably, Apoorva has denied claims that she secured admission through a donation, saying she had been academically strong and that her professional experience also helped her application.