The silence from prominent figures in Kollywood (Tamil film industry) regarding the removal of the movie Annapoorani from Netflix has been deafening. This silence is particularly striking when contrasted with the industry’s history of vocal criticism and cinematic portrayals of governmental missteps. In the past, Kollywood has not shied away from political commentary. For instance, actor Vijay visited the families of victims in the 2019 Thoothukudi shooting, offering support after police violence against protestors opposing Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper plant. Similarly, his film Mersal (2017) openly criticized the Goods and Services Tax (GST), drawing the ire of political parties. Vishal’s Irumbu Thirai (2018) tackled concerns around Aadhar data breaches. Given this backdrop of assertive filmmaking and commentary, the quiet surrounding Annapoorani‘s Netflix departure raises significant questions. Why the reticence from Kollywood regarding Annapoorani being removed from Netflix?
Industry insiders suggest that the timing and sensitive subject matter are key factors contributing to this silence. The controversy surrounding Annapoorani erupted when the film, dubbed and released on Netflix, featured a scene that sparked religious offense. Specifically, a dialogue referencing the consumption of meat by a character associated with the deity Ram ignited outrage. A well-known producer within the Tamil film industry, speaking to TNM, highlighted the crucial role of timing. “The dialogue did not create any controversy when it came out in Tamil but only when it was dubbed and released on Netflix,” they stated. The producer emphasized the heightened sensitivity around commentary on Ram, especially with the extensive national discourse surrounding the Ayodhya temple inauguration. In the current socio-political climate, expressing views perceived as critical of Ram or the Ramayana is seen as particularly fraught with risk. This context makes it understandable why actors and filmmakers might be hesitant to voice opinions that could be misconstrued as offensive to prevailing sentiments.
Furthermore, the producer pointed out the geographical nuances of religious reverence. Ram is significantly more revered in North India compared to the southern states. This difference in cultural emphasis translates into financial considerations for the film industry. With the increasing trend of ‘pan-Indian’ cinema, offending a substantial portion of the national audience, particularly in the North, carries considerable financial risk. Netflix’s decision to remove Annapoorani further illustrates this point. As the producer explained, “The law did not say that this film had to be removed from Netflix. Neither did it ask the producers to issue an apology for hurting religious sentiments. But Netflix did not want to take a risk because there were calls to boycott it. They did not want to lose subscribers so they removed the movie.” This decision underscores the financial pressures faced by streaming platforms and content creators alike. Supporting the film or its message could also lead to future financial repercussions for actors, potentially explaining the widespread silence within Kollywood. In essence, the confluence of a sensitive religious topic, politically charged timing, and financial anxieties appears to be the reason why Annapoorani was removed from Netflix and why Kollywood’s usually vocal voices have remained notably silent.
