Bharti Singh burnt the evil doll, her son was doing strange things! Labubu Doll is cursed!

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What began as a sweet family moment in the Singh household quickly spiraled into one of the most talked-about controversies on Indian social media this month.

Comedian and television star Bharti Singh says she was left with “no choice” but to burn her young son’s toy — a popular Labubu doll — after claiming it triggered bizarre and troubling changes in his behavior. The dramatic incident, captured on Singh’s vlog, has split the internet in two, raising questions about superstition, parenting, and the power of viral storytelling.

According to Singh, the doll entered their home in the most innocent way possible: her husband, writer-producer Harsh Limbachiyaa, bought it as a gift for their three-year-old son, Gola. But she claims the cheerful little boy she knew suddenly became irritable, aggressive, and defiant.

“He used to laugh all the time,” Singh said in her video. “Then he started yelling, throwing things, refusing to listen. It was so sudden… something felt wrong.”

Her suspicion fell on the doll, a big-eyed, toothy creature from Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung’s “The Monsters” series. Friends, family, and even the household nanny allegedly warned her that “something was wrong” with it.

Then came the moment that stunned viewers: Singh, joined by her nanny, took the doll outside and tried to set it on fire. At first, she says, it wouldn’t burn — as if, in her words, “some invisible force was protecting it.” Her husband jokingly suggested the doll’s “spirit” was resisting, which only heightened the tension.

The most heartbreaking moment came when little Gola grabbed his mother’s hand and pleaded, “Mama, don’t do it. He’s my friend.” Singh, in tears, responded: “He’s not your friend. He’s the one making you naughty.” Moments later, flames consumed the toy. Singh whispered, “The devil is dead. Evil has been defeated.”

The vlog could have ended there — a mother’s emotional, if controversial, decision to protect her child. But the story quickly took on a life of its own.

The Labubu Phenomenon

Labubu is not an obscure object. Created in 2015, the mischievous-yet-kind monster was never intended as a “haunted” figure. In fact, it became a global pop culture hit after Chinese toy company Pop Mart partnered with Lung in 2019, selling the dolls in “blind boxes” — mystery packaging that turned them into collectibles.

By 2024, the series had generated over $40 billion in sales worldwide. Celebrities from Blackpink’s Lisa to Rihanna and Kim Kardashian were spotted with Labubu merchandise, making it a status symbol among fans.

But social media can reshape narratives. A viral post compared Labubu to “Pazuzu,” the ancient Mesopotamian demon popularized in The Exorcist. Though fact-checkers debunked the claim, the spooky association stuck. Indian reality TV personality Archana Gautam added fuel by sharing an anecdote about a relative’s life allegedly falling apart after buying one.

Soon, Labubu was trending in India not as a cute collectible, but as a cursed object.

A Cultural Flashpoint

Singh’s fiery vlog instantly polarized viewers. Supporters praised her as a concerned mother acting out of love. “Every mom can relate to this,” one fan wrote. “If you feel something is affecting your child, you do whatever it takes.”

Critics, however, accused her of promoting superstition in the digital age. Some pointed to environmental concerns about burning plastic. Others questioned the psychological impact on her son.

“Destroying a child’s favorite toy in front of them can break trust and create deep anxiety,” said Mumbai-based child psychologist Dr. Neha Sethi. “It’s not just an object — it’s often a source of comfort, what we call a ‘transitional object.’ His plea, ‘He’s my friend,’ is a textbook example.”

One woman shared a haunting memory in the comments: “My mom burned my Barbie when I was little. It killed the child inside me.”

Some accused Singh of staging the whole thing as a publicity stunt. “Perfectly timed drama, emotional beats, suspense, millions of views,” one user posted. “This is content strategy 101.”

The Brand Impact

If Singh hoped to “destroy” the doll’s power, the effect may have been the opposite. Resale prices for Labubu dolls spiked after the controversy, with one reportedly selling for 915,000 rupees (about $11,000). Pop Mart has remained silent on the incident, perhaps following the old marketing adage: “All publicity is good publicity.”

Tradition Meets the Internet

In many Indian households, “warding off the evil eye” is an old and respected practice. Black kohl dots on a child’s forehead, burning chilies, or discarding “unlucky” objects are commonplace. Seen through that lens, Singh’s decision is not unusual.

But on a platform like YouTube, where personal stories instantly become public debates, such acts take on new dimensions. What might once have been a private ritual is now content — dissected, memed, and monetized.

Where the Truth Lies

Was Bharti Singh acting as a frightened mother, or as a savvy entertainer who knows how to keep audiences hooked? The answer may be somewhere in between.

What’s clear is that a doll meant to symbolize childhood joy has, through a mix of superstition, celebrity, and viral storytelling, become an unlikely cultural villain.

And perhaps that’s the strangest part: the Labubu doll is still smiling.