The world of OTT content in India has exploded in recent years, and among the players who’ve made a name for themselves through bold, daring, and controversial narratives is Ullu. Known for pushing boundaries, Ullu has both drawn massive viewership and faced repeated scrutiny. As OTT platforms face increasing pressure from regulatory bodies, legal systems, and social activists, Ullu Originals often become the center of heated debates on content freedom and morality.

In this exclusive and detailed report, we dive deep into the Ullu shows that were banned, temporarily taken down, censored, or heavily edited, uncovering the real stories behind each decision. Whether it was due to objectionable themes, legal disputes, political backlash, or public outcry, these shows became cautionary tales in India’s evolving content regulation landscape.

Understanding Censorship on OTT Platforms in India

Before we jump into the list, let’s understand why Ullu and similar platforms face censorship:

1. The IT Rules 2021

With the Indian Government introducing the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, OTT platforms are required to self-regulate and maintain a three-tier grievance redressal structure.

2. Community Guidelines & Morality Watchdogs

Several organizations like Sanskar Bharati, religious councils, and women’s rights groups have filed petitions against OTT shows that allegedly:

• Show disrespect to religious symbols
• Promote obscenity
• Misrepresent communities or professions

3. Platform Self-Censorship

To avoid future legal trouble, platforms like Ullu sometimes voluntarily censor or remove episodes, trailers, or full series based on early feedback.

Full List: Ullu Originals That Got Banned or Censored

Let’s explore the most prominent examples of Ullu shows that got banned, were briefly taken down, or faced serious edits and backlash—with context and reasons explained.

1. Gaon Ki Garmi – Temporarily Pulled for Obscenity Complaints

One of the earliest Ullu hits, Gaon Ki Garmi, was temporarily removed in late 2021 due to complaints filed by viewers citing excessive nudity and sexual themes that went beyond narrative necessity.

Reason for Ban:

• Violated the IT Rules’ decency code
• Received notices from state-level cyber police teams
• Protested by local women’s groups in Maharashtra

What Happened:

• Reuploaded a week later with 5 scenes trimmed
• Age restriction filter updated from 16+ to 18+

2. Charmsukh – Multiple Episodes Removed

Perhaps the most popular Ullu anthology series, Charmsukh has been under fire for provocative themes involving step-relations, taboo love, and fetishism.

Episodes Banned or Edited:

• Charmsukh: Jane Anjane Mein Part 3 – pulled from streaming for 2 weeks in 2022
• Charmsukh: Aate Ki Chakki – banned in certain states, including Uttar Pradesh

Reasons:

• Accusations of objectifying women
• High number of user reports for “soft pornography”
• FIR filed by a regional NGO accusing it of “corrupting youth”

Outcome:

• Ullu began displaying “fictional disclaimer” banners before each episode
• Renamed episode titles to sound less suggestive

3. Riti Riwaj – Cultural Misrepresentation Backlash

Riti Riwaj was designed to showcase regional traditions around marriage and sexuality, but critics argued it crossed the line into mocking rural culture and misrepresenting sacred customs.

Episodes Under Fire:

• Riti Riwaj: Haldi
• Riti Riwaj: Tijarat

Controversy Highlights:

• Received backlash from Rajasthan and Gujarat communities
• Several social media campaigns called it “disrespectful” and “misleading”

What Followed:

• Episodes taken down for 10 days, re-uploaded with altered dialogue and blur edits
• In-app warning message added about fictional storytelling

4. Palang Tod: Bekaboo Dil – FIR Filed for Obscenity

Palang Tod is another anthology-style hit from Ullu, but its episode “Bekaboo Dil” sparked legal attention.

Legal Issues:

• FIR filed in Madhya Pradesh under sections related to public obscenity and corrupting youth
• Complaint noted that it was “pushing OTT beyond morality”

Censorship Action:

• Entire episode removed for 3 weeks
• Re-released with heavily trimmed intimate scenes and new cover art

5. Prabha Ki Diary – Writer’s Lawsuit

Prabha Ki Diary faced censorship of a different kind—a copyright lawsuit filed by a Marathi short story author.

What Happened:

• Alleged that Ullu had plagiarized the plot and characters from an award-winning short story
• The show was pulled pending investigation

Final Outcome:

• Show was reworked and renamed under a new title
• Original credits were modified to include “inspired by literature”

6. Woodpecker – Political Backlash

A story involving an airline owner and political ambitions, Woodpecker stirred up controversy for allegedly resembling real-life political scandals.

Trigger Points:

• One character’s resemblance to a sitting MP drew media attention
• Political parties filed complaints for character defamation

Censorship Action:

• Certain dialogues muted in the re-uploaded version
• Ullu issued a press note declaring “all characters are fictional”

7. Tadap: The Desi Love Story – Age-Appropriateness Issues

This series came under fire not for its boldness, but for featuring characters that appeared underage in adult situations, according to certain child protection groups.

Complaint Details:

• Letters to NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights)
• Several ISPs briefly blocked the show on mobile data networks

What Ullu Did:

• Redesigned promo thumbnails to reflect older actors
• Recast one character and reshot key scenes

8. Kaneez – Religious Group Objections

Kaneez, set against a Muslim household backdrop, sparked outrage over its portrayal of inter-religious romantic dynamics and domestic power abuse.

Who Objected:

• Several Muslim organizations protested, saying it vilified traditions
• Petitions filed in Lucknow and Hyderabad courts

Platform Response:

• Episode taken down for legal review
• Certain religious references muted or altered post-release

Censorship Patterns Observed in Ullu Originals

Through these cases, we can identify a few recurring themes:

How Ullu is Responding to Censorship in 2025?

As of 2025, Ullu has implemented several measures to reduce friction with authorities:

• Age-gated content model
• Better story-to-skin ratio in new shows
• Collaboration with legal advisors before release
• More disclaimers and trigger warnings
• Local cultural consultants for region-specific shows

Impact of Bans on Viewership and Brand Image

Interestingly, most shows that faced bans actually saw a spike in viewership post-reupload. The “banned” tag became a marketing edge. Still, Ullu’s brand image took hits, especially in media discussions about OTT regulation.

However, the platform is slowly pivoting towards story-driven content with a blend of thrill, mystery, and boldness, making its 2025 catalog noticeably more balanced.

FAQs – Ullu Censorship and Banned Shows

Q1. Why do Ullu shows get banned or censored so often?

Due to the platform’s focus on bold and provocative themes, Ullu often faces backlash for allegedly crossing societal or cultural boundaries.

Q2. Who decides what content should be removed from Ullu?

Censorship may be enforced by government regulations, FIRs, court orders, or internal decisions made by the platform based on viewer feedback and legal risk.

Q3. Are banned Ullu shows permanently removed?

Not always. Most shows are temporarily taken down, edited, and then re-released with cuts or disclaimers.

Q4. Where can I find the original uncensored versions?

Officially, uncensored versions are not available due to compliance. However, pirated versions often float online (though we do not endorse or recommend them).

Q5. Is Ullu still releasing bold content in 2025?

Yes, but with more narrative depth and regulatory awareness. Boldness is now more “implied” than “explicit” in many new series.

Q6. How can creators avoid censorship on platforms like Ullu?

By respecting local sensitivities, consulting cultural advisors, maintaining age-appropriate content, and avoiding direct political/religious commentary.

Final Word

The saga of Ullu Originals getting banned or censored isn’t just about spicy scenes—it’s a reflection of the complex tug-of-war between creative freedom, audience demand, legal frameworks, and cultural boundaries in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Despite controversies, Ullu remains a pioneering OTT platform that continues to push the envelope—sometimes too far. But with growing awareness and a shift toward smarter, more sophisticated storytelling, the platform may finally strike a better balance in 2025 and beyond.