Amidst Controversy, Nayanthara's 'Annapoorani' Pulled From Netflix; Studio Issues Apology

Netflix has removed Nayanthara's 'Annapoorani' after facing backlash. Zee Studios, one of the producers of the film, has issued a?statement where they addressed?the concerns of the protesters.

Outlook Entertainment Desk

Updated on: 11 January 2024 2:44 pm

A still of Nayanthara from 'Annapoorani'

Actress Nayanthara's 'Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food' recently landed into controversy for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The film released in theatres on December 1 and started streaming on the OTT giant, Netflix from December 29. However, days after it premiered on the OTT platform, an FIR (First Information Report) was filed against?Nayanthara starrer.

Following the complaint, Netflix has removed 'Annapoorani' from Netflix. Zee Studios, one of the producers of the film, has issued a?statement where they addressed?the concerns of the protesters. They wrote?to Vishwa Hindu Parishad stating that the film will be removed from the OTT platform until edited.

Have a look at the statement here.

Big victory !! First step!! @NetflixIndia @netflix has taken the offensive obnoxious #Annapoorani off . But don't spare the entire film team till they publicly apologize and rectify the misinformation about Prabhu Shri Ram that they cunningly wanted to spread .

Jai Shri Ram ?? pic.twitter.com/SA3rhyZsq6
— ???? Rajalakshmi Joshi ???? (@rajalakshmij) January 11, 2024

For the unversed, Ramesh Solanki, founder of the Hindu IT cell, filed a?complaint against the film, where he claimed that it is 'offending Hindu religious sentiments'. The complaint was filed against Nayanthara, Jai, 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.

In the complaint, Solanki mentioned that 'Annapoorani'?was promoting 'love jihad'. A scene in the film created a huge uproar. In the scene in question, Jai's Farhan convinces the heroine to consume meat by explaining that Lord Rama has also eaten meat. In the climax scene of the film, Nayanthara's character?Annapoorani wears a hijab and offers namaz before making biryani in the final round of a cooking competition.

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'Annapoorani' revolves around the story of a Brahmin woman who is very?ambitious. She wants to explore her passion for cooking but gets stuck to the orthodox ideals that she has been taught by her conservative family since her childhood. She doesn't let her caste and religious differences come her way and aims to fulfil her dreams.?

'Annapoorani' is directed by debutant filmmaker, Nilesh Krishnaa. It also stars Sathiyama,?Achyuth Kumar, KS Ravikumar, Karthik Kumar and Renuka among others.