Government Summons Amazon Prime After Uproar Over Web Series ‘Tandav’
New Delhi, January 18, 2021: After the release of the web series ‘Tandav’ on Amazon Prime Video, the controversy over its content has also started. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the officials of Amazon Prime Video amid demands for a ban on the web series. The ministry has sought an explanation from Amazon Prime Video by Monday.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam has filed a complaint against its makers at Ghatkopar Police Station in Mumbai, alleging that Hindu gods have been abused in the web series. After filing the complaint, Kadam said, “Strict action should be taken against the actor, director, and producer of the web series.”
Tandav starring Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Dino Morea, Kumud Mishra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, Gauhar Khan, and Kritika Kamra premiered on the streaming platform on Friday. The movie based on politics is produced and directed by filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar and Himanshu Kishan Mehra. It is written by Gaurav Solanki, who is known for ‘Article 15’.
A source in the ministry said, “The ministry has taken cognizance of the matter (complaints) and has asked Amazon Prime Video to clarify.”
Manoj Kotak, an MP from the Mumbai North-East, has alleged that such forums often attempt to misrepresent Hindu deities. He said that various organizations and individuals have complained that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in the ‘Tandav’ web series.
Kotak said, “We have written a letter to Javadekar Ji and have demanded that he should immediately stop the web series. Actors, producers, and directors should apologize for hurting feelings.”
He shared the picture of the letter on Twitter, saying there is no law or autonomous body that regulates digital content, and films on such platforms are loaded with sex, violence, drug abuse, hatred, and obscenity.
