'Annapoorani'
Removed
From
Netflix:
In
a
recent
development,
streaming
giant
Netflix
has
decided
to
remove
the
film
'Annapoorani,'
starring
Nayanthara,
from
its
platform
following
allegations
by
Hindu
groups
that
the
movie
is
"anti-Hindu." The
decision
comes
after
a
legal
battle
involving
a
case
filed
against
the
film
for
allegedly
hurting
religious
sentiments.
Legal
Battle
Ensues
As
Hindu
Groups
Accuse
Film
of
Being
"Anti-Hindu"
The
controversy
surrounding
'Annapoorani' began
when
it
was
released
in
theaters
on
December
1,
later
becoming
available
on
Netflix
from
December
29.
Just
a
week
after
its
OTT
debut,
the
film
faced
severe
criticism
and
accusations
of
offending
Hindu
religious
sentiments.
Ramesh
Solanki,
the
founder
of
the
Hindu
IT
cell,
filed
a
complaint
against
the
film,
claiming
it
to
be
offensive
to
Hindu
religious
sentiments.
The
complaint
targeted
not
only
the
actors
Nayanthara
and
Jai
but
also
writer-director
Nilesh
Krishna,
producers
Jatin
Sethi,
R
Ravindran,
and
Punit
Goenka,
Zee
Studios
Chief
Business
Officer
Shariq
Patel,
and
the
head
of
Netflix
India,
Monika
Shergill.
Vishwa
Hindu
Parishad
(VHP)
spokesperson
Shriraj
Nair
also
issued
a
warning
to
Netflix,
demanding
the
removal
of
'Annapoorani'
from
its
platform.
In
response
to
the
legal
and
public
pressure,
Netflix
decided
to
remove
the
film.
Zee
Studios,
one
of
the
producers
of
'Annapoorani,'
communicated
to
Vishwa
Hindu
Parishad,
assuring
that
the
film
would
be
taken
down
from
the
platform
until
it
undergoes
necessary
edits.
'Annapoorani'
narrates
the
story
of
an
ambitious
woman
from
a
Brahmin
family
in
the
conservative
town
of
Srirangam.
The
film
explores
her
struggles
between
her
passion
and
orthodox
ideals,
challenging
caste
and
religious
differences.
The
complaint
by
Ramesh
Solanki
alleged
that
the
film
promoted
'love
jihad.'
However,
the
movie
does
not
delve
into
a
romantic
relationship
between
the
lead
characters
Nayanthara's
Annapoorani
and
Jai's
Farhan.
One
controversial
scene
involves
Farhan
persuading
Annapoorani
to
consume
meat
by
referencing
Lord
Rama's
dietary
choices.
The
climax
showcases
Annapoorani
wearing
a
hijab
and
offering
namaz
before
preparing
biryani
in
a
cooking
competition.