Anunay Sood, the much-loved travel influencer and photographer, left the digital world in shock with the news of his sudden passing that was confirmed on Thursday, 6 November 2025. The 32-year-old creator, known for his stunning travel reels and breathtaking photography, had shared his final post from Las Vegas just hours before the heartbreaking announcement appeared on his official Instagram account.“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of our beloved Anunay Sood’s passing,” read the post that confirmed the tragedy. Fans and fellow creators were left devastated, struggling to believe that the cheerful, adventurous face they followed daily was gone too soon.As tributes poured in, many began reflecting on Anunay’s journey, his travels, his creativity, and his cherished friendship with fellow creator Apoorva Mukhija, famously known online as Rebel Kid.
Anunay Sood and Apoorva Mukhija’s friendship
Anunay and Apoorva’s friendship was one that fans truly admired. They had known each other for years and often travelled together to different countries, offering glimpses of their easy-going bond through cheerful vlogs and Instagram reels. From their Bali trip to Gujarat’s vibrant Garba nights, their adventures were filled with fun and pranks.One of their most popular reels, titled ‘That one couple who refuses to admit that they are a couple’ left fans speculating about whether they were more than friends. However, both creators clarified that they shared only a close friendship and enjoyed working together.
When did the friendship start to fade?
Over time, followers began noticing that something had changed between the two. The once inseparable duo had stopped appearing together in posts or videos. The whispers grew louder on reddit and Instagram when Anunay unfollowed Apoorva on Instagram. For fans who loved their friendship, the silence was hard to ignore.See More:Travel influencer Anunay Sood passes away at 32: Last social media post was ‘weekend surrounded by legends and dream machines’
Did the cruise controversy change everything?
As reported by Indiatimes, cracks in their friendship began during a promotional cruise trip. Both were accused of misbehaving on board, allegedly being loud late at night, smoking in restricted areas, and showing disrespect to fellow passengers.The situation worsened when Anunay posted a vlog from the trip where he was seen jokingly taking items from a café, something viewers criticised as “stealing for humour.” Facing backlash, he deleted the video, but instead of apologising, he defended it by saying the content was “perfectly fine.”This reaction upset many fans, who felt he ignored the criticism. Soon after, Anunay and Apoorva stopped tagging or mentioning each other online, confirming what followers had begun to suspect, the friendship was over.
Anunay Sood liked Utsav Dahiya’s ‘Cute Little Red Flags’ song
The final break seemed to come in August 2025 when Apoorva’s ex-boyfriend, Utsav Dahiya, released a song titled ‘Cute Little Red Flags’, in which he accused her of cheating and manipulating situations for attention. The song went viral, but what truly surprised fans was Anunay’s reaction. Sood liked Utsav’s post and unfollowed Apoorva, a move that many interpreted as him taking a clear stance. Soon after, another creator, Sufi Motiwala, also unfollowed Apoorva, stating that he wanted to stay close to “Apoorva, not Rebel Kid.” After their falling out, neither Anunay nor Apoorva publicly spoke about what went wrong. So far, Apoorva has not responded publicly to the news of his passing.
Family’s appeal for privacy
In an emotional statement released from his account, Anunay’s family shared, “We kindly ask for your understanding and privacy as we navigate this difficult time. We humbly request you to avoid gathering crowds near personal property. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
