Netflix has faced backlash and removed the Indian movie ‘Annapoorani’ from its platform due to protests from right-wing Hindu groups. The film, which follows a young woman’s journey to becoming a chef despite her Brahmin family’s opposition to cooking and eating meat, quickly gained popularity on Netflix in India. However, it was removed less than two weeks after its release following complaints that it outraged religious feelings. This incident further highlights the challenges faced by Netflix in navigating India’s media landscape and religious sensitivities.
Netflix has recently made the decision to remove the Indian film ‘Annapoorani: the Goddess of Food’ from its platform following protests from right-wing Hindu groups. The movie, which tells the story of a young woman’s journey to become the best chef in India, faced opposition from her Brahmin family due to her cooking and eating meat.
The film gained significant popularity on Netflix in India, but it was taken down less than two weeks after its release. Hindu groups filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the film’s director, producer, and actors, accusing them of outraging religious feelings. It appears that these Hindu nationalist groups are utilizing anti-hate speech laws to protest and remove content they deem offensive.
One of the criticisms directed at the film was its portrayal of a Brahmin woman consuming meat and suggesting that Lord Ram would do the same. This led to Hindu groups sending letters of complaint to Netflix and Zee Entertainment, the production studio behind the film. In response, Zee Entertainment issued an apology and stated that they would remove the film from Netflix until it had been edited.
India is a significant market for Netflix, but the streaming platform has faced challenges in navigating the country’s media landscape and religious sensitivities. This is not the first time Netflix has faced boycott calls over content that offended Hindu sentiments. Previous controversies arose from scenes in “A Suitable Boy” and “Tandav.” These incidents have raised concerns about censorship and press freedoms in India’s entertainment industry.
Filmmakers and creators are becoming increasingly worried about censorship due to religious objections and government regulations on streaming services. The Indian media itself has also been subject to restrictions, with the government banning the release of a documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India’s entertainment industry continues to grapple with religious pressure campaigns and the delicate balance between creative expression and societal sensitivities. As of now, Netflix has not responded to requests for comment on the removal of ‘Annapoorani: the Goddess of Food’ from its platform.