The Tamil-language movie “Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food,” featuring Nayanthara from the film “Jawan,” has been removed from Netflix due to numerous objections from Hindu groups.
The storyline revolves around a girl from an orthodox Hindu family who dreams of becoming India’s top chef. Originally released in theaters on December 1, the film started streaming on Netflix from December 29. However, it quickly became a target of criticism from Hindu groups across India, leading to police complaints asserting that it hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
In Mumbai, activists affiliated with the Hindu group Bajrang Dal registered a complaint. Another complaint was filed by Ramesh Solanki, who identifies himself on Instagram as an “Activist, Founder Hindu IT Cell, Ex ShivSena Post Bearer, and Proud Hindu Indian Nationalist.” Solanki shared a copy of his complaint on X. He expressed in his complaint, “At a time when the whole world is rejoicing in anticipation of the Pran Pratishtha of Bhagwan Shri Ram Mandir [the upcoming consecration of the Lord Rama temple in Ayodhya], this anti-Hindu film Annapoorani has been released on Netflix, produced by Zee Studios, Naad Sstudios, and Trident Arts.”
Solanki’s complaint outlined specific scenes, including one where Nayanthara, portraying a Hindu priest’s daughter, engages in a Muslim prayer while wearing a Muslim headdress. Solanki also asserted that the film propagates “Love jihad” (a conspiracy theory about Hindu women being coerced into converting to Islam) as Nayanthara’s character’s Muslim friend, Farhan (played by Jai), “brainwashes” her into cutting meat by claiming that Lord Rama and the goddess Sita also consumed meat. Given that many Hindus adhere to a vegetarian diet, the notion of their deities consuming meat is considered offensive.
The individuals mentioned in the complaint include the film’s director, debutant Nilesh Krishnaa; Nayanthara; producers Jatin Sethi and R. Ravindran; Zee Entertainment Enterprises CEO Punit Goenka; Zee Studios Chief Business Officer Shariq Patel; and Netflix India Chief Monika Shergill.
The Hindu Seva Parishad in Jabalpur also lodged a complaint against the film.
Zee Studios, in a letter addressed to the Hindu nationalist organization Vishva Hindu Parishad, announced that the film would be taken down from Netflix until it undergoes editing, accompanied by an apology. The statement from Zee Studios expressed, “We, as co-producers of the film, have no intentions to hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus and Brahmins community. We would like to hereby apologize for the inconvenience and hurt caused to the sentiments of the respective communities.”
Solanki shared the Zee Studios letter on X, stating: “Huge win for Hindu Ekta [unity]; Anti Hindu movie #Annapoorani removed from Netflix; Thank you so much @ianuragthakur bhai [India’s information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur]; And big thanks to all Hindus across the globe and all Hindu organizations for coming together.”
Variety has reached out to Netflix and Zee Studios for comments.
Nayanthara, who starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the 2023 blockbuster “Jawan,” is one of the biggest Indian hits of that year. She is immensely popular in the four south Indian language film industries, and “Annapoorani” is her 75th film.