Ekta Kapoor issues clarification after govt bans ALTT, 24 OTT apps for vulgar content: ‘Not associated in any capacity’

Ekta Kapoor clarified that she and Shobha Kapoor“had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021”.

Ekta Kapoor has issued a statement after the government banned ALTT, ULLU and 23 other OTT apps for vulgar and obscene content. Taking to Instagram, Ekta Kapoor said that she and her mother, Shobha Kapoor, aren't "associated in any capacity with ALTT," adding that "they had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021".

Ektaa Kapoor talked about ALTT after govt banned it. (AFP)

Ekta Kapoor clarifies after govt bans ALTT

The statement read, “Balaji Telefilms Limited, listed on the BSE and NSE, is a professionally run media organization and following the recent amalgamation of ALT Digital Media Entertainment Ltd. (previously its wholly owned subsidiary) duly approved by the Hon’ble NCLT, it operates ALTT wef June 20, 2025."

Ekta says neither she nor Shobha is connected with ALTT

Ekta clarified that neither she nor Shobha is connected with ALTT. "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."

"Balaji Telefilms Limited is fully compliant of all applicable laws and continues to operate its business with the highest standards of corporate governance," concluded the statement. She captioned the post, “To whomsoever it may concern.”

Govt directive on ban of 25 platforms

The government has ordered the blocking of websites and apps of 25 OTT platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix, for having obscene, vulgar and in some cases, pornographic content. Among the apps identified for violating various laws are ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, ShowHit, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks, officials said.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting took the action in consultation with the Ministries of Home, Women and Child Development, Electronics, Information Technology and Law, industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in the field of women and child rights.

Notifications have been issued to various intermediaries as per the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021, to ensure that access to the concerned websites and apps is disabled. Officials said content on these platforms included sexual innuendos, long portions of sexually explicit scenes without any storyline, theme or message in a social context.

The government had received complaints against these platforms from the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and from members of the public over the past year.

Earlier, the web series House Arrest was taken down by Ullu in May, after intervention by the ministry. Officials said all 25 platforms were asked, in September last year, to refrain from publishing obscene, vulgar and in some cases pornographic content, but they continued to publish such content. They said five platforms, which were blocked earlier in March 2024, started publishing obscene content on new website domains.

(with PTI inputs)