Case Against Actor Nayanthara For 'Disrespecting Lord Ram' In Tamil Movie 'Annapoorani'

Amid outrage over the movie 'Annapoorani', a case has been registered against actor Nayanthara, the film's director and producers, and Netflix India's content head. The First Information Report, filed by a right-wing outfit in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, alleges that the accused hurt religious sentiments of Hindus, disrespected Lord Ram and promoted 'love jihad' through the movie. 

The FIR was filed at the Omti police station by fringe outfit Hindu Sewa Parishad and names seven accused, including Nayanthara, director Nilesh Krishnaa, producers Jatin Sethi and R Ravindran, and Netflix India's content head Monika Shergill.

The movie, which released in theatres on December 1, began streaming on Netflix on December 29. After a backlash and several police complaints, it has now been pulled from the OTT platform. Two complaints against Nayanthara and others have also been filed in Mumbai by right-wing outfits Bajrang Dal and Hindu IT Cell.

The Jabalpur case, by Hindu Sewa Parishad's founder and president Atul Jeswani, has been filed under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to promoting enmity among groups on the grounds of religion, and common intent.

Allegations

In the FIR, the Hindu Sewa Parishad has alleged that 'Annapoorani' has hurt Hindu religious sentiments, insulted Sanatana Dharma and made baseless comments against Lord Ram. 

It points to certain scenes in the movie, including one where Nayanthara, who plays the daughter of a temple priest, offers namaz wearing a hijab before making biryani. It also claims that, in one segment, a friend of the character played by Nayanthara "brainwashes" her into cutting meat, "claiming that Lord Ram and Goddess Sita also consumed meat".

Mr Jeswani also alleged that the movie promotes 'love jihad', which is a term used by some right-wing outfits to allege attempted conversion of Hindu girls and women by Muslim men.

Lens On Timing

The controversy comes at a time when the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is just days away, and some of the complainants have also pointed to this. Many on social media have agreed with the complainants' allegations and called for action against the makers of the film.

A political controversy has also broken out over the consecration ceremony, with the Congress brass stating that it will not attend the event on January 22. The BJP has hit back at the party and several other members of the INDIA alliance and also released a poster alleging that the opposition bloc is anti-Sanatana Dharma.