The film "Annapoorani," featuring Nayanthara, Sathyaraj, and Jai, gained attention with its release in theaters on December 1, 2023, and subsequently on Netflix on December 29, 2023.
However, the controversy surrounding alleged religious sentiments has led to its removal from the OTT platform.
The film's depiction of 'Rama eating non-veg' and a scene portraying Nayanthara's character performing namaz sparked protests from various groups, including The Rashtriya Hindu Mahasabha, Shiv Sena, and BJP.
Former Shiv Sena leader Ramesh Solanki's complaint in Mumbai resulted in Netflix taking down the film, eliciting regret from Zee, one of the production houses.
This development has ignited discussions in political and film circles, raising concerns about stifling creative freedom.
Director Vetrimaaran expressed disapproval, stating that removing a film approved by the censor board from an OTT platform challenges the board's authority.
Film artist T.M. Krishna criticized the removal as "stupid." Social activists pointed out that the fervor for Lord Ram among North Indians contributed to the outrage.
In response, Netflix plans to edit the contentious scenes and re-release the film to mitigate potential commercial repercussions.
Murali Abbas, Director and senior executive of Makkal Neethi Maiam Party, condemned this incident as a violation of artistic expression and warned against setting a precedent where external forces dictate filmmaking.
The "Annapoorani" controversy has become a focal point, prompting reflection on the delicate balance between creative freedom and commercial considerations in the film industry.