Nayanthara’s “Jai Shri Ram” Apology: “Annapoorani” Controversy Elicits Regret, Netizens React

Nayanthara’s “Jai Shri Ram” Apology: “Annapoorani” Controversy Elicits Regret, Netizens React

South Indian superstar Nayanthara has found herself at the center of a social media storm following the release of her latest film, “Annapoorani.” The film, which depicts the story of a fictional goddess named Annapoorani, has been accused of hurting Hindu sentiments.

The controversy stems from a scene in the film where Nayanthara’s character utters the Hindu chant “Jai Shri Ram.” Many Hindus believe that the chant should only be used in religious contexts and that using it in a secular film is disrespectful.

In response to the backlash, Nayanthara has issued a public apology. “I understand that my words and actions in ‘Annapoorani’ have offended some people,” she said in a statement. “I want to sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused. I never intended to disrespect anyone’s religious beliefs.”

“Jai Shri Ram,” the actor begins her statement, and she says, “We may have unintentionally caused hurt in our honest attempt to communicate a pleasant message. The withdrawal of a restricted movie from the OTT platform that had previously been screened in theaters caught us off guard. I never meant to offend anyone, and my team and I am aware of how serious this problem is.”

 

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The actor, who previously starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan, describes herself as a devout person who “frequently visits temples across the country.” “My deepest apologies to everyone whose feelings we may have affected.”

Netflix’s Annapoorani

The movie, which debuted in theaters on December 1, was only available for one day on Netflix before being removed. Certain scenes caused distress for some viewers, who said they offended religious sentiments. One character in the film states that Ram used to be a “meat-eater” during a heated exchange of conversation.

The issue surrounding Annapoorani intensified when a person named Ramesh Solanki lodged a formal complaint at the Lokmanya Tilak Marg police station in Mumbai. He asserted that the movie intentionally offended Hindu sensibilities and insulted Lord Ram. The film’s producer, Zee Studios, then expressed regret to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Before any more streaming, they agreed to cut out any controversial material.

Not everyone finds it impressive.

Not everybody finds Nayanthara’s apology to be impressive. “This wasn’t required. I took in the film Annapoorni. It was a really good movie, in my opinion, especially for foodies. One user said, “I couldn’t find anything else!”

“Never thought it would happen! Because it offends certain people, an OTT film that has been censored cannot be taken down instantly. Where is the freedom if a group of people decide what the public should and shouldn’t see? I was hoping you would defend the movie,” another person commented.

Nayanthara’s apology has done little to quell the anger of some netizens. Many are calling for the film to be boycotted, and some have even threatened violence against the actress.

“This is not just about a movie,” said one angry Twitter user. “This is about disrespecting our religion. Nayanthara should be ashamed of herself.”

However, others have come to Nayanthara’s defense. They argue that the film is not intended to be offensive and that the controversy is being blown out of proportion.

“People are getting too sensitive,” said another Twitter user. “It’s just a movie. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.”

The “Annapoorani” controversy is just the latest in a long line of India, where religious sensitivities are often high. In recent years, there have been several cases of films being banned or censored because they were deemed to be offensive to Hindus.

It remains to be seen how the “Annapoorani” controversy will play out. However, it is clear that the film has touched a nerve and that the debate over religious sensitivities in India is likely to continue.

In closing, Nayanthara emphasized that the film’s real purpose is to inspire and uplift viewers. She gave her two decades in the business some thought, emphasizing her dedication to promoting mutual learning and positivity.

Read This Also: “Netflix Removes ‘Annapoorani‘ in Light of Legal Complaint Alleging Offensive Content”