Facing backlash for purportedly disrespecting Lord Ram and endorsing ‘love jihad’ in her film ‘Annapoorani: Goddess of Food,’ Nayanthara has issued an apology, acknowledging the offense caused to Hindu sentiments. In a sincere message, she explained that the movie sought to reflect life’s challenges and the possibility of overcoming them.
Below is the comprehensive apology from Nayanthara that she shared on Instagram :
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 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.
With sincere regards,
Nayanthara
‘Annapoorani,’ initially released in theaters on December 1, faced significant controversy upon its Netflix streaming debut on December 29. The movie drew multiple police complaints, ultimately leading to its removal from the OTT platform.
The complaints highlight specific scenes in the film, such as one depicting Nayanthara, portraying the temple priest’s daughter, engaging in namaz wearing a hijab before preparing biryani. Another segment alleges that a friend of Nayanthara’s character ‘indoctrinates’ her into cutting meat, asserting that Lord Ram and Goddess Sita also partook in consuming meat.
The dispute arises amid the imminent consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with some complainants specifically referencing this temporal context. Numerous voices on social media have echoed the complainants’ claims, urging repercussions against the film’s creators.