'Aligarh’ writer Apurva Asrani to delete social media handle citing lack of 'authenticity and nuance': 'Been a fun journey'

Apurva Asrani, the acclaimed writer and editor known for ‘Aligarh’ and ‘Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors,’ has announced that he is leaving his personal Instagram account. The writer said his page, @apurva_asrani, will be permanently deleted starting May 8, 2026. His decision has drawn reactions from fans, especially because he has long used social media to speak about films, society and the entertainment industry.As reported by HT City, Asrani shared the update on Instagram on May 7 and thanked his followers for staying with him through a decade of online posts, debates and personal updates. He also told fans they can follow his professional account, @apurvaasranifilms, for work-related updates.In his note, Asrani wrote, “It’s been a fun 10-year Instagram journey, but this page, @apurva_asrani, will be permanently deleted starting tomorrow, 8th May 2026. You can follow me on my work account, @apurvaasranifilms, where I’ll continue sharing updates on films, writing and creative work. I also have a fairly quiet Twitter account that occasionally wakes up for work announcements. Thank you for the conversations, the warmth, the disagreements and for staying through all the plot twists of the last decade.”Fans reacted quickly in the comments. One user wrote, “Awww will miss seeing your life updates @apurva_asrani thank you for letting me be part of this ten year journey. Look forward to following your other profile and continuing to celebrate your talents and achievements.” Another asked, “Why suddenly you took this decision?”Speaking to HT City, Asrani explained that social media no longer feels like the space he once joined. He said, “Social media today feels very different from what I originally signed up for. It used to be a space for expression and connection… now it increasingly feels controlled by algorithms, trends or even invisible business interests. I feel there’s very little space left online for nuance, authenticity or originality.”He added, “If I genuinely want to express something meaningful today, I would rather write an article, a screenplay or make a film. Those spaces still allow for depth and complexity in ways social media doesn’t anymore.”Asrani also raised privacy concerns and said users now give up more personal space for visibility and engagement. He said his professional Instagram handle and Twitter account will stay active for work-focused updates.