Indian influencer Sarah Sarosh has recently faced intense criticism for a controversial Instagram post where she combined makeup application with the sensitive topic of a rape and murder case in Kolkata. The now-deleted video featured on her Instagram account showed Sarah Sarosh applying serums and makeup while a voiceover discussed the horrific crime of a doctor being raped and murdered inside a hospital. The stark contrast between the serious subject matter and the lighthearted “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) visuals sparked immediate backlash.
As an influencer known for her beauty content, Sarah Sarosh’s Instagram feed is typically filled with makeup tutorials and product recommendations. However, this particular post, which seemed to trivialize a deeply serious issue, outraged many. Social media users, especially on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), were quick to condemn the video as insensitive and inappropriate. The disconnect between the grave voiceover and the cheerful makeup routine led to hundreds of complaints, with many accusing Indian influencers like Sarosh of going to extreme lengths for engagement.
“This is so distasteful and insensitive. She will do anything for views,” one Reddit user commented, highlighting the growing concern about the ethics of content creation among Indian influencers. Another user criticized the lack of relevance between the audio and video, questioning why Sarah Sarosh makeup routines were being linked to such a tragic event. “If she really had to talk about this topic, she could’ve sat down rather than doing a GRWM. How are the audio and video related? Why would you upload a GRWM while talking about something so insensitive?”
Despite deleting the video shortly after posting it, screen recordings of the controversial content began circulating on other social media platforms. The reactions on X echoed those on Reddit, with users labeling the video “absolutely disgusting” and questioning the moral boundaries influencers like Sarah Sarosh are willing to cross for likes and attention. “Looks like there’s no end to how low they can go for likes. Nothing is off limits. No basic human decency is required,” one user remarked, reflecting the widespread disappointment with certain Indian influencers.
In the wake of the backlash, Sarah Sarosh issued an apology through her Instagram Story. She explained that the video had been filmed two months earlier and that she had not anticipated how tone-deaf it would appear when paired with a voiceover about such a sensitive topic. “I posted a GRWM reel yesterday which was shot 2 months ago with a voiceover on the current affairs of the rape & murder incident,” she wrote. “While editing it, I did not realize how tone-deaf it would be… I deleted the video within the first 5 minutes of posting it because the comments made me realize instantly that the messaging is distasteful.”
Sarah Sarosh expressed her regret and apologized to those affected, promising to address the case in a more mindful manner in the future. However, this incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of Indian influencers like Sarah Sarosh and the ethical considerations that should be made when creating content on sensitive topics.
