Why Nayanthara's Controversial 'Annapoorani' Removed From Netflix?

Following an FIR registered against Nayanthara's 'Annapoorani', the movie has been pulled down from Netflix.

Released on December 28, the movie was reportedly available for watching on the OTT platform with the description: "The daughter of a temple cook goes against her family's wishes to make non-vegetarian food in order to prove she's a talented chef in her own right."

However, Netflix viewers are unable to find the movie on its platform as on January 11. The movie, produced by Trident Arts, Zee Studios and Naad Studios, had run into trouble with a section of Hindus and Brahmins.

'Annapoorani' faced backlash on social media for its anti-Hindu content, as a section of Hindus accused the movie of promoting conversion to Islam, distorting the portrayal of the revered Hindu deity Bhagwan Ram, and causing offense to the religious sentiments of Hindus.

On January 6, former Shiv Sena leader Ramesh Solanki lodged a police complaint against the makers of the film 'Annapoorani.' As the founder of the Hindu IT Cell, Solanki wrote to the Chief Inspector of the Lokmanya Tilak police station, urging action against the film's alleged anti-Hindu elements.

The Hindu activist pointed out several objectionable scenes in the movie, such as the portrayal of the daughter of a Hindu Brahmin temple priest participating in Namaz (Islamic prayer), the glorification of love jihad, and the depiction of Lord Ram and Maa Sita consuming meat in the Ramayana, which he deemed as falsehoods.

Solanki shared the complaint copy on Twitter and said, "At a time when the whole world is rejoicing in anticipation of the Pran Pratishtha of Bhagwan Shri Ram Mandir, this anti-Hindu film Annapoorani has been released on Netflix, produced by Zee Studios, Naad Studios and Trident Arts."

Talking about the objectionable scenes, he said, "A daughter of Hindu Poojari, offers Namaz to cook Biryani. Love Jihad is promoted in this Film. Farhan (Actor) persuades the actress to eat meat saying that Bhagwan Shri Ram was also a meat eater."

The complaint was filed against Nayanthara, Jai, Nilesh Krishna, producers Jatin Sethi, R Ravindran, Punit Goenka, Zee Studios Chief Business Officer Shariq Patel and head of Netflix India, Monika Shergill.

Meanwhile, Zee Studios has given an apology over the controversy. It said, " "We have no intentions as co-producers of the film to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and Brahmins community and would like to hereby apologise for the inconvenience caused and hurt caused to the sentiments of the respective communities."