The film, which had quickly risen to become the platform’s second-most-watched movie in India, was removed from the platform in India by Thursday afternoon.
Ramesh Solanki, a complainant, accused the OTT platform and producers of intentionally making the film to “hurt Hindu sentiments” and urged authorities to prosecute the film’s main stars. In an interview with Times Now, Solanki alleged, “This movie is a direct attack on Hindus. Netflix hasn’t apologized yet. This fight is against factories that specifically target Hindus and are funded from abroad. This is not the first time Netflix has produced an anti-Hindu movie or series.”
When asked to share his views on the matter of meat being offered in some temples around the country, Solanki said, “Absolutely, there must be some practices in the Hindu religion also, but here the Pundit is a Vishnu pujari for 7 generations and they are not eating non-veg. Here, the guy Farhan comes and pursues her to eat non-veg, so what is the logic behind that? In the movie, the heroine is shown not touching eggs or chicken because she has been following a certain religion and ritual. Aap usko pura change kar rahe ho. You are brainwashing that female.”
The story revolves around a young woman, the daughter of a Hindu priest, aspiring to become the nation’s top chef. The plot takes a contentious turn as it sees the girl straying from the strict vegetarianism ingrained in her upbringing.
Central to the narrative is the portrayal of a cross-religious romance, giving way to allegations that the movie promoted ‘love Jihad’.
On the removal of the film, Shriraj Nair, spokesperson for a Hindu activist group, said in a statement to AFP, “We have never interfered in the creative freedom of any film, but Hindu bashing and mocking will never be tolerated.”
In response to the controversy, an FIR (First Information Report) was filed at Omti Police Station in Jabalpur district under sections 153-A and 34. The legal action targets actor Nayanthara, film director Nilesh Krishnaa, and another individual for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. City SP Pankaj Mishra confirmed the filing of the FIR.
Sources indicate that the film includes controversial remarks about Lord Ram.
The cast of ‘Annapoorani’ includes Nayanthara, Sathyaraja, Jai, Achyuth Kumar, KS Ravikumar, Karthik Kumar, and Renuka in pivotal roles.
‘Jawan’ actress Nayanthara in legal trouble! FIR filed against her for allegedly insulting Lord Ram in the movie ‘Annapoorani’
