South movie actress Nayanthara on late Thursday night issued her first statement after her movie Annapoorani - The Goddess Of Food was taken down by Netflix. Annapoorani - The Goddess Of Food was released on Netflix in December 2023 with high expectations. However, following Annapoorani - The Goddess Of Food's OTT Release, it brought controversies and even an FIR against the makers, stars, and even American streaming giant Netflix. Annapoorani - The Goddess Of Food came under the scanner after the movie claimed that Lord Ram used to hunt and eat meat during his Vanvas days. Not only this, Nayanthara being a Brahmin girl in one of the scenes stated that reading Namaz before cooking Biryani makes it even more tasty. Annapoorani - The Goddess Of Food is the story a Brahim girl who aspires to become a chef, however, due to her family's beliefs she faces multiple difficulties. As a result, Nayanthara Apology came on Thursday with the actress clarifying the intention behind the making of the movie. Below is what Nayanthara's Apology says-
"I am writing this note with a heavy heart and a genuine desire to address the recent turn of events concerning our film, Annapoorni.' Crafting Annapoorni was not just a cinematic endeavor but a heartfelt pursuit of inspiring resili resilience and instilling the spirit of never giving up. It aimed to mirror life's journey, where we learn that obstacles can be overcome with sheer willpower.
In our sincere attempt to share a positive message, we may have inadvertently caused hurt. We did not expect the removal of a censored film, previously showcased in theatres, from the OTT platform. My team and I never intended to hurt anyone's sentiments and we understand that the gravity of this issue. Being someone who wholely believes in God and frequently visits temples accross the country, it is the last thing I would intentionally do. To those whose feelings we've touched, I extend my sincere & heartfelt apologies.
The intention behind 'Annapoorni was to uplift and inspire, not to cause distress. Over the last two decades, my journey in the film industry has been guided with a singular intention To spread positivity & foster learning from one another."
FIR against Netflix and Annapoorani makers
The complaint was filed against Nayanthara, Jai, Nilesh and producers Jatin Sethi, R Ravindran, and Punit Goenka, Zee Studios Chief Business Officer Shariq Patel and the head of Netflix India, Monika Shergill. Ramesh N. Solanki founder of Hindu IT Cell & Hindu Activist,in his complaint wrote that "an anti-Hindu film named 'Annapoorani', which translates to Goddess of Food. The Films is available on Netflix and produced by Zee Studios, Trident Arts & Naad Studios. Below is what the allegations are-
Daughter of a Temple Priest offers Namaz wearing a Hijab, before making Biryani in the last scene of the film.
The film promotes Love Jihad. The actress's friend Farhaan, brainwashed the actress to cut meat because he says Bhagwan Shri Ram and Maa Sita also ate meat.
Actress doesn't go to the Temple but goes to Farhan's place for Iftaari.
Visuals of the girl's father doing Sandhya and grandmother doing Mala are intercut with their daughter eating & consuming meat.
The actress's father is a temple priest, making Bhog for Bhagwan Vishnu since 7 generations but his daughter is shown to cook meat, fall in love with Muslim, goes for Ramzan Iftaar & offers Namaz. A devout Hindu's daughter, offering Namaz to cook Biryani, and is supported by Farhaan while quoting that Shri Ram was a meat eater, is done with the sole intent to demean Hindus and Bhagwan Shri Ram.
Nayanthara Apology: Annapoorni star issues statement after Netflix deletes movie over remarks on Lord Ram