Nayanthara recently apologized for the controversy surrounding her movie “Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food,” released on December 1, 2023. Initially in theaters, the film later appeared on Netflix, but the OTT platform unexpectedly removed it, citing the licensor’s request.
The controversy arose from a storyline featuring a Hindu Brahmin aspiring to be a chef, preparing meat, which offended religious sentiments and led to legal action. Following the film’s removal, Nayanthara expressed her regrets on Instagram, emphasizing her respect for diverse beliefs and her unintentional impact.
In her statement, Nayanthara began with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Om,’ expressing her sincere attempt to share a positive message. She clarified that the team did not expect the film’s removal from the OTT platform after its theatrical release. Nayanthara, a believer in God who frequently visits temples, asserted that she never intended to hurt religious sentiments.
“In our sincere attempt to share a positive message, we may have inadvertently caused hurt. We did not expect the removal of a censored film, previously showcased in theatres, from the OTT platform. My team and I never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments and we understand that the gravity of this issue. Being someone who wholely believes in God and frequently visits temples accross the country, it is the last thing I would intentionally do. To those whose feelings we’ve touched, I extend my sincere and heartfelt apologies.The intention behind ‘Annapoorni was to uplift and inspire, not to cause distress Over the last two decades, my journey in the film industry has been guided with a singular intention – To spread positivity & foster learning from one another,”she wrote.
The controversy stemmed from a scene where a character convinces Annapoorani to eat meat, referencing Lord Ram. Ramesh Solanki objected, filing a police complaint, resulting in an FIR targeting Nayanthara, the director, producers, and Netflix India head.
“Annapoorani,” directed by Nilesh Krishnaaa, tells the story of a woman challenging familial expectations to become a top chef, involving the consumption and cooking of meat. Premiering on Netflix on December 29, the film was removed after two weeks due to the controversy.
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