By Ananya Sharma 
New Delhi, January 23: Sometimes, it is not the big scandals that spark outrage online. Sometimes, it is a small moment that feels a little too familiar. That is exactly what happened with Amulya Rattan, whose short “fit check” video has now turned into a full-blown internet storm.
The clip is short. Roughly half a minute. No shouting. No chaos. Just an influencer filming herself in a public place and a man walking past, doing what most people do every day. Walking. That simple act was enough to set off a reaction that many viewers found uncomfortable to watch.
What The Video Shows, Plain And Simple
In the viral clip, Amulya Rattan, a 21-year-old lifestyle creator, is seen recording herself near what looks like a metro station entrance or outside a Mothercare store. It is a busy area. People are moving around. No one seems to be paying attention to the camera.
As she steps back to capture her outfit, a man walks straight through the frame. He does not stop. He does not bump into her. He does not even appear to notice the camera.
Rattan immediately stops recording and turns towards him. She calls him out for “ruining” her video. She asks why he did not apologise. She uses the word “civic sense” more than once.
The man keeps moving. The clip ends.
That is it. No edits. No background explanation. Just that moment.
Why People Got So Angry So Fast
Once the video left Snapchat and landed on Instagram and X, the reaction was swift. And brutal.
Most people were not upset about the interruption itself. They were upset about the expectation. The idea that someone walking through a public space should stop, wait, or apologise because a reel is being filmed did not sit well with viewers.
Many comments boiled down to one point. Roads, footpaths, and metro stations are for everyone. They are not studios. They are not private property. People do not owe influencers cooperation.
The phrase “civic sense” became the biggest trigger. For many Indians, it is a serious term. It is used for spitting, littering, and reckless driving. Applying it to a man simply walking past felt insulting to a lot of viewers.
The jokes followed quickly. Some mocked the idea that streets should be cleared next time a reel is being shot. Others accused influencers of thinking the world revolves around their camera.
Not Everyone Agreed, But Most Did
A few voices were trying to slow things down. Some users pointed out that creators deal with interruptions all the time and that a little awareness from passersby could help. A handful said the reaction online was harsher than the incident deserved.
But those voices were few. The larger mood was clear. People are tired of feeling like background characters in someone else’s content.
A Bigger Issue Than One Influencer
What this episode really exposed is a growing irritation that many people already carry.
Phones are everywhere. Cameras are always on. In malls, on streets, at stations, someone is always recording. Most people ignore it. Some step aside quietly. But not everyone wants to be part of a stranger’s video.
Indian cities are crowded. Sidewalks barely have space to walk properly. Expecting people to watch out for camera angles is unrealistic. When frustration is directed at ordinary movement, it feels unfair.
That is why this clip struck a nerve. Not because it was shocking, but because it felt like something many people have experienced or worried about.
No Response Yet
As of now, Amulya Rattan has not publicly addressed the backlash. Her social media accounts remain active, but comment sections are filled with criticism and references to the video.
Whether she responds or lets the controversy fade is unclear. Online outrage moves fast. But first impressions stick.
Where This Leaves Things
In the end, this is not really about one influencer or one passerby. It is about boundaries. About who gets priority in shared spaces. About when content creation crosses into entitlement.
The video will eventually stop trending. Another controversy will take its place. But the discomfort it highlighted will remain.
Because at the end of the day, most people just want to get where they are going without being told they lacked “civic sense” for walking through a public road.
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- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
