Netflix Pulls Movie From Platform After Activists Complain
It has been a highly tumultuous year for the arts, as labor disputes like the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes tip the scales of financial power and debates regarding the Israel and Palestine conflict continue to rage through Hollywood. It’s not just American cinema that’s experiencing political upheaval, as Kollywood film Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food has been pulled from Netflix for political reasons.
The film, which released theatrically on December 1 before hitting Netflix on December 29, offended Hindu groups so much that several Mumbai activists submitted complaints to their local police.
Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food is a Tamil-language film that centers on the titular character of Annapoorani trying to become a high-end chef, despite her family’s staunch commitment to the Brahmin caste.
As a result of the many complaints, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food has been removed from Netflix, with the film’s producers promising to edit the film to be more sensitive to Hindu customs.
Being a Brahmin family means adhering to strict rules regarding food preparation and consumption, leaving Annapoorani’s father to refuse to even be in a room where meat of any kind is served or cooked. After her father catches her indulging in chicken wings, Annapoorani is forced into a marriage alliance against her will.
Due to the unflattering depictions of Hinduism and social commentary on the caste system, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food has been maligned by Hindu activists across Mumbai. One Hindu group, Bajrang Dal, filed a formal complaint with the local government, alleging that the film carries anti-Hindu sentiments of “Love jihad” a popular conspiracy theory that suggests Hindu women are being forced to convert to Islam through sexual temptation.
Though India produces hundreds of films each year, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food may have been specifically maligned due to the involvement of lead actress Nayanthara.
Other complaints claimed that the film was highly offensive due to suggestions throughout the dialogue that Lord Rama and the goddess Sita cut and ate meat, as many Hindus are strict vegetarians who find it harmful to depict their deities eating the flesh of animals.
As a result of the many complaints, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food has been removed from Netflix, with the film’s producers promising to edit the film to be more sensitive to Hindu customs. Zee Studios offered an apology to the public, making it clear that they did not intent to upset audiences with the movie.
Though India produces hundreds of films each year, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food may have been specifically maligned due to the involvement of lead actress Nayanthara. Nayanthara is one of the country’s most popular performers, starring in over 75 films across the four south Indian language film industries.
Given her massive star power, it makes sense that the controversial film would draw so many eyes, including those of Hindu activists offended by the film’s critique of the religion’s culture and caste system.
Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food is the directorial debut of up-and-coming filmmaker Nilesh Krishnaa. Though the film has been temporarily stripped of its Netflix streaming position, it seems clear that the director is talented in his craft, leading many fans and critics alike to wonder what his next movie will behold.
For now, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food is not streaming on any service, though Zee Studios plans to rerelease the abridged cut in the near future.
