One of probably the most anticipated Indian internet sequence of the yr, Amazon Prime Video’s Tandav has been on the receiving finish of many complaints and trolling since its launch on January 15. The Saif Ali Khan-fronted present has been helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and written by Gaurav Solanki of Article 15 fame.
Tandav has been accused of wounding spiritual sentiments of a bit of the viewers, particularly with its now-controversial scene that includes Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, who, dressed as lord Shiva, was seen mouthing traces about ‘azaadi’. After quite a few complaints, the makers launched a press release apologising for unintentionally hurting folks’s sentiments and agreed to snip ‘problematic’ sequences. However, even after censorship, Tandav’s troubles are removed from over. After apprehensions relating to an arrest, choose members from Tandav crew approached the Supreme Court to grant them interim safety from arrest. On Wednesday, their plea was rejected by the apex courtroom, and so they had been requested to strategy the excessive courtroom for anticipatory bail or quashing of FIRs.
Here is how issues went down for Tandav and its crew since its premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
The trolling
Even earlier than any official complaints had been filed, Tandav had began trending on Twitter, with folks demanding that the Saif Ali Khan sequence be banned because it was demeaning Hindu gods. Two BJP leaders additionally joined the refrain demanding a whole ban on the present for “disrespecting the Hindu gods.”
‘Hurting religious sentiments’ and the primary FIR
After the incessant trolling got here the primary official criticism, which was filed in opposition to the actors, producers and director of Tandav by BJP MLA Ram Kadam. The criticism was lodged on the Ghatkopar police station in Mumbai, and it urged authorities to take “strict action” in opposition to the Tandav crew. Post this, an FIR was registered in opposition to the director, producer and the author of internet sequence, together with Amazon Prime Video’s India head of authentic content material on the Hazratganj police station of Lucknow for allegedly portraying Hindu Gods in dangerous gentle. The makers had been additionally accused of frightening communal pressure through its dialogues.
“After watching the series, it was found that in the 17th minute of the first episode, characters playing Hindu gods and goddesses have been shown in an uncharitable way and using objectionable language, which can incite religious tension. Similarly, in the 22nd minute of the same episode, efforts have been made to ignite caste clashes with casteist remarks. The person holding a dignified post like that of Prime Minister has been shown in a very derogatory manner in the web series,” learn the FIR filed by Senior Sub-inspector Amar Nath Yadav.
Information and Broadcast Ministry summons Amazon Prime Video crew and Ali Abbas Zafar’s assertion
The I and B Ministry headed by Prakash Javadekar referred to as upon the Amazon crew to clarify themselves even because the makers continued to face extreme trolling. On the day the ministry summoned the Amazon Prime Video crew for a proof, Tandav director Ali Abbas Zafar issued a press release apologising for the harm the present had brought about.
“We have been closely monitoring viewer reactions to the web series ‘Tandav’ and today during a discussion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have informed us regarding a large number of grievances and petitions received on various facets of the web series. The web series Tandav is a work of fiction and any resemblance to acts and persons and events is purely co-incidental. The cast and crew did not have any intention to offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs of insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead. The cast and crew of ‘Tandav’ take cognizance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologize if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments,” learn the primary launched assertion by Zafar on social media.
Haryana Home Minister’s rally to ban Tandav and one other FIR
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij had earlier launched a press release saying that Tandav has harm spiritual sentiments and the I&B ministry ought to make a provision whereby no internet sequence might be launched earlier than passing the display screen check performed by the censor board. “It (series) should be immediately removed from the Amazon platform because it attacks our system, politics, social fabric, young generation, and the Prime Minister’s office,” Vij mentioned.
Even as Vij lent his voice to the ‘Ban Tandav’ marketing campaign, one other FIR was filed in opposition to some members of the Tandav crew in Uttar Pradesh. The criticism included fees below the SC/ST Act and the Information Technology Act, in opposition to filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar, producer Himanshu Mehra, Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, author Gaurav Solanki and Amazon Prime’s India head Aparna Purohit.
Second assertion from Tandav director Ali Abbas Zafar
Even as chaos surrounding the sequence continued, filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar launched his second assertion on Twitter. The director confirmed that he has determined to ‘implement changes’ to Tandav after a second spherical of talks with the I & B ministry.
“We have utmost respect for the sentiments of the people of our country. We did not intend to hurt or offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead. The cast & crew of Tandav have made the decision to implement changes to the web series to address the concerns raised towards the same. We thank the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the guidance & support in the matter. We once again apologize if the series has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments,” learn the assertion.
Bombay High Court grants transit anticipatory bail to Tandav makers
After the makers had been booked by the Lucknow police for hurting spiritual sentiments, filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar had moved the courtroom, asking for a daily anticipatory bail apprehending an arrest. The Bombay High Court granted him a three-week transitory bail. Similar aid was granted to Amazon India Head Aparna Purohit, producer Himanshu Mehra and author Gaurav Solanki.
Scenes snipped; extra threats
Two sequences from the present have been reduce — one that includes Zeeshan’s character as Lord Shiva and one other the place Tigmanshu Dhulia’s PM character hurls insults at Anup Soni’s Kailash utilizing casteist language. However, regardless of the cuts, Tandav continues to face troubles with extra FIRs and threats.
In Madhya Pradhesh, an FIR was filed in opposition to the makers by a little-known Hindutva outfit, whereas extra complaints had been made in opposition to Tandav in UP’s Greater Noida and Shahjahanpur.
In Maharashtra, the state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh mentioned police had acquired a criticism, and due motion will likely be taken in accordance with the regulation. Another criticism was filed in Bengaluru in opposition to the makers for depicting Lord Shiva in poor gentle.
Supreme Court declines safety to Tandav makers
After apprehensions relating to their arrest, director Ali Abbas Zafar, author Gaurav Solanki, actor Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and others approached the apex courtroom to hunt safety from the identical. However, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court declined them interim safety. They have been requested to take up the difficulty in associated excessive courts the place complaints have been filed in opposition to them.
Tandav stars Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Gauahar Khan, Kritika Kamra, Anup Soni, Kumud Mishra, Dino Morea and Sandhya Mridul amongst others. It is at present streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
