Creators in a funk over BeerBiceps row

A Crimony over online influencer Ranveer Allahbadia's comments in a YouTube video has rattled India's ₹2,400 crore creator economy, with many digital content creators pulling videos, reviewing content and censoring their own work.

- Pratishtha Bagai & Krishna Yadav

Allahbadia, who runs the BeerBiceps YouTube channel with over 8 million subscribers, faced severe backlash for his comments in comedian Samay Raina's India's Got Latent show. Facing police complaints, the YouTuber approached the Supreme Court, which termed his comments "perverted," barred him from YouTube shows and banned him from leaving the country. It also asked the Attorney General to address broader concerns about obscene content on online platforms.

Separately, a parliamentary panel has directed the information and broadcasting ministry to suggest legal amendments to address controversial online content.

While creator-led shows make it to streaming platforms like JioHotstar, good content from independent creators is getting pulled down, lamented Mohit Mamoria, who co-creates quizzes on Arey pata hai, a channel with close to 800,000 subscribers.