Actor Nayanthara booked for 'disrespecting Lord Ram' in 'Annapoorani', Netflix removes film

According to the First Information Report (FIR), filed by a right-wing outfit in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, the film allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus, disrespected Lord Ram, and promoted 'love jihad' through the movie.

The FIR was filed at the Omti police station by fringe outfit Hindu Sewa Parishad and names seven accused, including Nayanthara, director Nilesh Krishnaa, producers Jatin Sethi and R Ravindran, and Netflix India's content head Monika Shergill.

The movie, which was released in theatres on December 1, began streaming on Netflix on December 29.

After a backlash and several police complaints, it has now been pulled from the OTT platform.

Two complaints against Nayanthara and others have also been filed in Mumbai by right-wing outfits Bajrang Dal and Hindu IT Cell.

The complaints point to certain scenes in the movie, including one where Nayanthara, who plays the daughter of a temple priest, offers namaz wearing a hijab before making biryani.

It also claims that, in one segment, a friend of the character played by Nayanthara "brainwashes" her into cutting meat, "claiming that Lord Ram and Goddess Sita also consumed meat".

The controversy comes at a time when the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is just days away, and some of the complainants have also pointed to this.