Netflix removed Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food after backlash

Netflix has removed a famous Indian film, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food, after facing religious backlash from Hindu activists. Because the movie portrayed people eating meat and dating people of different religions.

Netflix removed Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food just a few weeks after its premiere. This is the latest example of a controversial project on an Indian digital entertainment site.

#Nayanthara's Tamil film, #Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food, has been embroiled in controversy ever since it premiered on Netflix on 29 December. The film has now been pulled from the OTT platform. Here's all you need to know about the controversy: https://t.co/5F2GWinIid
— The Quint (@TheQuint) January 12, 2024

The movie was the second-most-watched Netflix film in India the day before it was removed. It is about the daughter of a Hindu priest who wants to become the best cook in the country.

Following the process, she gives up the strict vegetarianism she was raised with. It becomes controversial because many upper-caste Hindus don’t eat meat. She gets help from a Muslim classmate to get through her tough culinary school and the two fall in love. It overcomes the most controversial religious split between Muslims and Hindus in India.

Many Hindu nationalists consider the movie as anti-Hindu. Even they have filed FIRs against the film director Nilesh Krishnaa and actor Nayanthara.

Police superintendent Pankaj Mishra said they have filed an FIR in Omti PS in Jabalpur district against the film director and actor. They filed complaints under sections 153-A and 34 for allegedly violating religious sentiments.

Madhya Pradesh | FIR registered in Omti PS in Jabalpur district under sections 153-A and 34 against film 'Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food' actor Nayanthara, film director Nilesh Krishnaa and one other person for allegedly hurting religious sentiments: City SP Pankaj Mishra pic.twitter.com/lc8OmkP6mY
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

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One angry Hindu activist even went so far as to file a police report last week. He said the movie supported “love jihad.” This is a derogatory term that Hindu nationalists use to describe Muslim men who marry Hindu women and force them to convert.

A mainstream Hindu nationalist, Ramesh Solanki, filed an FIR against the film. He said Netflix and co-producer Zee Studios deliberately made this film. He also asked the police to bring charges against the main actors who performed in the movie.

Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food came out on Dec 1, 2023. Despite the criticism, it became the second-most watched film on Netflix.