Anil Kapoor Apologises After Air Force Objects To Netflix Trailer

The Air Force on Wednesday demanded "withdrawal" of a few scenes from a soon-to-be released Netflix movie - "AK vs AK" - after a teaser was shared on Twitter by Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor.

"The IAF uniform in this video is inaccurately donned & the language used is inappropriate (sic)," the Indian Air Force tweeted. 

The post further read: "This does not conform to the behavioural norms of those in the Armed Forces of India. The related scenes need to be withdrawn. @NetflixIndia @anuragkashyap72." Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and Netflix India were tagged in the tweet.

Mr Kapoor later apologised on Twitter.

"It has come to my attention that the trailer of my new film "AK vs AK" has offended some people. As I am wearing the Indian Air Force Uniform while using unparliamentary language, I would like to sincerely offer my humble apologies for unintentionally hurting sentiments," he said in a video message.

"AK vs AK" is a Vikramaditya Motwane movie, starring Anurag Kashyap and Anil Kapoor, "as themselves". It will be released on December 24. 

(Warning: Video contains foul language)

The synopsis says: "A brash film director (Anurag Kashyap, as himself) kidnaps the daughter of a movie star (Anil Kapoor, as himself) and films the star's desperate search for his daughter in real-time as his next blockbuster."

In the one-minute long clip, Anil Kapoor, 63 and Anurag Kashyap, 48, are seen sparring as the seasoned actor uses foul language and abuses the filmmaker, rarely seen in front of the camera.

On Twitter, Anil Kapoor has been thanking those admiring his work in the new project, said to be a mockumentary drama. In the post that was shared by the IAF, he wrote: "No more fooling the audience please. As promised, the REAL narrative of #AKvsAK from the REAL AK."  

Last month, the government had issued an order bringing online news portals and content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar under the Information and Broadcasting ministry. Until last month, there was no law or autonomous body governing digital content. The government regulations also apply to news on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In October, the Supreme Court had sought the centre's response on a petition for regulating over-the-top or OTT platforms by an autonomous body. The top court had issued notices to the centre, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Internet and Mobile Association of India.

The latest controversy has divided the internet. Many on social media called out the makers for disrespecting the IAF. "Derogatory scenes must be withdrawn #AKvsAK #Netflix," wrote a user.  "Respect the Uniform. It takes years of sweat and blood to earn that Uniform, don't disrespect it like that. Please Withdraw the scene #AKvsAK @anuragkashyap72 @AnilKapoor @NetflixIndia," another user wrote.  

"Legal action must be taken against the team. I don't know what's wrong with Netflix these days," another tweet read. However, some people came out in support of the cast and crew. 

In August, the IAF had written to the Central Board of Film Certification, complaining against its "undue negative portrayal" in the Netflix movie "Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl".

"Dharma Productions had agreed to represent Indian Air Force (IAF) with authenticity and make all efforts to ensure that the film helps to inspire the next generation of IAF officers," the Air Force said in its letter to the censor board, which was also sent to Netflix and Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.

Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena (retd) flew operational sorties in the 1999 Kargil war, including casualty evacuation, spotting enemy targets and assisting Army artillery gunners gauge the impact of their strikes.