Netflix stops Nayanthara's Annapoorani from streaming amid protests

Amid escalating protests surrounding Tamil star Nayanthara's recent film Annapoorani, Netflix has opted to take down the movie from its platform. While the film was available for streaming until Wednesday, it mysteriously vanished from the platform on Thursday.

This decision by Netflix follows a series of protests and a social media boycott campaign against the film, with allegations that it offended religious sentiments. In response to these claims, an FIR was lodged against Nayanthara in Mumbai.

The removal of Annapoorani from the streaming service occurred without an accompanying public statement from Netflix. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether the film will be reinstated following an internal assessment.

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Written and directed by Nilesh Krishnaa, Annapoorani was released in cinemas on December 1 last year. However, the film didn't really make a mark at the box office as it quickly vanished from the public memory. However, the film started making headlines after it was released on Netflix. 

Some have taken offence to the story that addresses a sensitive topic about the connection between food and religion. In Annapoorani, Nayanthara essays the role of a girl from a Brahmin family, who develops the habit of eating meat to pursue her dreams of becoming a world-famous chef.  

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In the film, Annapoorani also ends up in a relationship with her school friend Farhaan, played by Jai. A particular scene in the film sees Farhaan suggesting that Lord Rama was a meat eater, seemingly referencing a quote from Valmiki's Ramayana. The themes and ideas explored in the movie have irked a section of the audiences in the Hindi-speaking states. 

The issue has gained significance in light of the upcoming opening ceremony of the Lord Rama temple in Ayodhya. So far, neither Nayanthara nor the director has issued an official statement on the matter. 

Besides Nayanthara and Jai, the film also stars Sathyaraj, Achyuth Kumar, K. S. Ravikumar, Karthik Kumar and Renuka. 

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