An FIR has been registered against ‘Tandav’ director Ali Abbas Zafar, actors Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover and Amazon Prime India head Aparna Purohit at Noida’s Rabupura police station for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and inciting communal disharmony. According to ANI, the makers have been accused of showing Uttar Pradesh in a bad light in the web series.
‘Tandav’, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 15, received flak on social media for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Hindu community. It landed into a pool of controversies within a day of release.
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Tandav Controversy, Here’s All You Need To Know!
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued a notice to Amazon Prime Video and summoned the officials of the streaming giant in connection with the complaints filed against the web series. Several leaders including BJP MP Manoj Kotak wrote to I&B Minister Prakash Javedkar and demanded a ban on ‘Tandav’.
If this was not enough, an FIR was registered against the makers at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station for allegedly portraying Hindu Gods in a poor light and using casteist dialogues and scenes in the web series.
Also READ: ‘Tandav’ Controversy: Criminal Complaint Filed In Court For Hurting Hindu Sentiments; DETAILS INSIDE
Makers Issue Apology
Ali Abbas Zafar, who has helmed the web series, issued a statement on behalf of his team on January 18 and said that they didn’t intend to hurt the sentiments of anyone. He added that 'Tandav' is a work of fiction and any resemblence to any event is purely coincidental.
“We have been closely monitoring viewer reactions to the web series Tandav and today during a discussion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have informed us regarding a large number of grievances and petitions received on various facets of the web series with serious concerns and apprehensions regarding its content hurting the sentiments of the people. The web series Tandav is a work of fiction and any resemblance to acts and persons and events is purely coincidental. The cast and crew did not have any intention to offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead. The cast and crew of Tandav take cognizance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologize if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiment,” the statement said.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam, who expressed his displeasure over the content of ‘Tandav, shared a post after the makers released a statement. He said that the protests against the series won’t stop until the ‘controversial scene mocking Lord Shiva' is deleted.
“The makers of Tandav have issued an apology now but they have not yet made clear whether that controversial scene mocking Lord Shiva will be removed/deleted from the series. Our protest won't stop until the scene is deleted,” Kadam tweeted.
'Tandav' also stars Kritika Kamra, Gauahar Khan and Dino Morea.