Netflix pulls Indian film Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food after religious backlash

Controversial Film Removed from Netflix

Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food, a recently released Indian film, was taken down from Netflix following criticism from Hindu activists. The film faced backlash for its portrayals of meat-eating and inter-religious romance. This incident is another example of controversial projects being discontinued on digital entertainment platforms in India.

The film, which had become the second-most watched feature on Netflix in India, revolves around the story of a Hindu priest's daughter who aspires to become a renowned chef in the country. However, her journey challenges the strict vegetarianism she was raised with, which is a controversial topic among many upper-caste Hindus who refrain from consuming meat.

The film also portrays the protagonist's relationship with a Muslim classmate who helps her overcome the obstacles in her culinary school. Eventually, the two characters fall in love, bridging one of India's most profound religious divisions. The depiction of this interfaith romance has received criticism from certain groups.

Backlash and Complaints Against the Film

Some activists went as far as filing a police complaint, alleging that the film promotes 'love jihad,' a derogatory term used by Hindu nationalists to accuse Muslim men of coercing Hindu women into converting through marriage. Ramesh Solanki, who filed the complaint, called for legal action against the film's main stars and accused Netflix and co-producer Zee Studios of deliberately hurting Hindu sentiments.

The controversy surrounding Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food prompted a social media campaign advocating for a boycott of the film and its removal from Netflix. The backlash gained significant attention, leading to the film's removal from the streaming platform in India.

Hindu activist groups expressed their satisfaction with the film's removal, claiming that the filmmakers had realized their mistake. However, there has been no official comment from Netflix India regarding the issue.

Film Censorship and Sensitivities in India

India has a long history of film censorship, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the industry has become increasingly cautious about content that might offend the religious sentiments of the country's majority faith. Reports have indicated that platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have shelved several projects to avoid hurting Hindu sentiments in the officially secular country.

This incident is not the first time that a film has faced censorship or backlash due to religious sensitivities in India. The debate surrounding freedom of expression and the balance between artistic creativity and cultural sensitivity continues to be a significant topic in the country's entertainment industry.