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Makers of Saif Ali Khan-starrer Tandav issue 'unconditional apology' following BJP uproar

Makers of Saif Ali Khan-starrer Tandav issue 'unconditional apology' following BJP uproar

Apology comes after a BJP official registered a police complaint, claiming show was stirring a potential religious controversy.
19 Jan, 2021

Following the backlash against the Saif Ali Khan-Dimple Kapadia starrer Tandav by BJP leaders who alleged the web series was insulting Hindu gods and goddesses, the makers of the show have issued an unconditional apology for hurting religious sentiments.

"We have been closely monitoring viewer reactions to the web series Tandav and today during a discussion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has informed us regarding a large number of grievances and petitions received on various facets of the web series with serious concerns and apprehensions regarding its content hurting the sentiments of the people," read the official statement by the cast and crew of the Amazon Prime show, shared on Twitter by filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar.

Stressing that it was a work of fiction with any resemblance to acts, persons or events being purely coincidental, they regretted offending the audiences.

"The cast and crew did not have any intention to 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 and crew of Tandav take cognisance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologise if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments," the statement added.

In an update, Zafar shared that the makers were "in further engagement with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to resolve the concerns that have been raised".

"We value your continued patience and support, and should have a solution shortly," he reiterated.

The apology comes after a local official from India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party had registered a police complaint against the web series, claiming it was stirring a potential religious controversy and threatening to launch a protest at the company’s office in Mumbai.

The commotion had also led to additional security outside Saif Ali Khan's Mumbai residence.

According to India Today, an FIR had also been filed against director Ali Abbas Zafar, writer Gaurav Solanki, Amazon Prime's India head of original content Aparna Purohit and Tandav's producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra.

Set in Delhi, Tandav features an array of characters scheming for political power. The show focuses on the story of Samar Pratap (Saif Ali Khan) and his quest to inherit the chair of PM from his father Devki Nandan (Tigmanshu Dhulia), who isn't willing to retire yet.

You can watch the trailer here.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 19, 2021 01:56pm
What else can they do to save their skin, life, liberty, freedom and pursuit of happiness?
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ali Jan 19, 2021 02:19pm
actually govt was getting exposed. People would know how govt works thats why they tried to put ban on the show
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Ali sardar Jan 19, 2021 02:36pm
I hated and felt angry about danish Cartoon, Hindus are allowed to feel similarly. No-one should make fun of other religion...
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Rahul Kumar Jan 19, 2021 03:05pm
@Ali sardar Fully agree with you.
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Nagesh Jan 19, 2021 03:08pm
@Ali sardar Thanks, your view are very true and correct. I hope most if Pakistanies feel the same way.
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Inspector Vijay Jan 19, 2021 03:22pm
@Ali sardar let us learn to mind our own business.
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Savera Jan 19, 2021 03:23pm
When will filmmakers apologise Muslims for making anti Muslim films and hurting their sentiments. You should be grateful that they never complained against films such as Padmavaat, Bajirao Mastani, Panipat, Kesari,Tanhaji , Tiger Zinda Hai, Phantom, Uri and many more films that regularly bash Muslims.
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Gau Jan 19, 2021 03:36pm
Death, gripsfears, IndiaIncredible!
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RAja Raman Jan 19, 2021 03:37pm
Guys... Move on. Don't dig too much into it.
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Shailesh Jan 19, 2021 03:42pm
Atleast no one is torching cars and burning property like in Malmö and Bangalore
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kaly Jan 19, 2021 03:53pm
Anyone ....hurting religious sentiments should be severely punished(for all religion).
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sherry saleem Jan 19, 2021 03:55pm
@Rahul Kumar offc ourse u will agree with him... what about freedom of expression now?
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Parvez Jan 19, 2021 03:56pm
For the BJP is accuse another for causing religious disharmony ..... is simply rich.
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haris Jan 19, 2021 04:03pm
Free speech doesn't apply here. Good! btw! they could have kneel down if ordered.
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Teddy Jan 19, 2021 04:08pm
Pathetic movie. Anyways people will take these criminals to task.
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Amir Indian Jan 19, 2021 04:20pm
On Monday, authorities in Bangladesh confirmed that on Wednesday, January 20, a specially equipped plane will carry 20 lakh doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine — manufactured in India by the Serum Institute of India under the name Covishield — to Dhaka. The consignment will be handed over to the Bangladesh government by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
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Rock Solid Jan 19, 2021 04:21pm
THIS KEEPS ON HAPPENING, NOW THE SHOW ILL BE A BIG DRAW, A PROVEN STRATEGY BY MANY FILM MAKERS, BUT BUT, NO KILLINGS TAKE PLACE
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Raju Jan 19, 2021 04:28pm
Religious sentiments are hurt. Still no killing or stabbing, no burning down property only protest on social media. Good spirit by all Indians.
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Bipul Jan 19, 2021 05:12pm
Before BJP uproar came citizens uproar.
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Monsieur Jan 19, 2021 05:19pm
@Savera films based on history ?? Do you apologise to History and reality ?
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Monsieur Jan 19, 2021 05:21pm
@sherry saleem what happened to freedom of expression of Charlie Hebdo? Or Aisa Bibi ?
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Akib Mahmood Jan 19, 2021 05:30pm
Where are all the free speech merchants now?
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Vivek Jan 19, 2021 05:31pm
@sherry saleem - You understand the meaning of Freedom of Expression?
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wiserneighbour Jan 19, 2021 05:37pm
@sherry saleem. Why charlie hebdo never had freedom of expression?
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Rahul S. Jan 19, 2021 05:53pm
@Amir Indian - long live India and Bangladesh brotherhood.
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Rahul S. Jan 19, 2021 05:54pm
@Rock Solid --- Yes good for the producers of the show.
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Rahul S. Jan 19, 2021 05:57pm
@ali -- I don't believe this to be true. It's the religious fanatics that are causing this controversy. They should not be allowed to allowed to get their way. Courts should decide.
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Rahul S. Jan 19, 2021 05:59pm
@Ali sardar -->> This is just a vocal minority that is trying to hijack the discourse. Producers of the show must not back down under coercion. Let the courts review and decide.
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Rahul S. Jan 19, 2021 06:02pm
@RAja Raman exactly, it's just a local BJP guy who complained. It's not the view of Hindu majority in India. Best to let the courts decide now.
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Deepak Jan 19, 2021 06:53pm
If Muslims are offended by Salman Rushdie's book or by the cartoons published in Europe, other religions can find certain things offensive too.
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saeed Jan 19, 2021 07:12pm
India should learn from Pakistan . Don't mix religion with politics and religion. Religious State path is always goes south.
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Sid Jan 19, 2021 07:15pm
Boycott Bollywood I say.. both Indians and Pakistanis - Actors these days are acting like gods and need to be brought down to earth. Especially with all the bullying that goes on in that industry!
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TruthMatters Jan 19, 2021 07:16pm
@Rahul Kumar Guess freedom of expression only applies when Hindus are the aggressors, thus not the aggrieved party? Muslim bashing is the bread and butter of Bollywood so much so that the local Hindu believe all Indian Muslims (living in India for at least a thousand years) to be Pakistanis or their descendants? How ludicrous?! Learn to practice what you preach. Nvm, this ‘secular’ facade has clearly been exposed, once and for all.
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Ajay Dutt Jan 19, 2021 07:22pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - Be sensible. Even though that is out of your reach. Hurting and demonizing Anybody is Evil, Not just as Islamophobia, but also for Hindus.
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Ajay Dutt Jan 19, 2021 07:29pm
@Inspector Vijay - Mind your own business is what steers us away from looking at the facts. If this legal action would have been unjust then we all need to speak about it, not just Pakistanis. If this is to correct something perpetuating for centuries, then we all need to join in. Not Just "Hindu" Indians.
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Imran Jan 19, 2021 10:02pm
Controversies and apologies are ok till not repeated.
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Mehar Ali Jan 19, 2021 10:37pm
I have watched the show and it is really a good show worth a watch. Since when did Indians become so small minded. I have watched so many other movies and shows about this topic and no body said anything.
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Common Man Jan 19, 2021 10:57pm
No alternative left...
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Vishesh Jan 20, 2021 06:40am
You cant take one religion for granted. Good move by authorities. Gone are the days when in the name of freedom of speech you will be allowed to abuse other religion
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ambreen Jan 20, 2021 08:12am
Freedom of speech ???
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Thunderbird Jan 20, 2021 11:06am
Wish minority sentiments and lives are are also defended in same robust manner in India.
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Anonymouseee Jan 20, 2021 11:30am
There is no freedom of speech in India. Hinduism is a myth and nothing more.
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sana Jan 20, 2021 11:57am
@Vishesh You cannot take any religion for granted even the religion of the minorities which is constantly abused in Bollywood.
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sana Jan 20, 2021 12:01pm
@Rahul S. It is a staged publicity stunt to get more viewers because in this era controversies help in selling films.
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Vivek Jan 20, 2021 02:15pm
@sana - religion of the minorities which is constantly abused in Bollywood - Are you talking about Indian Bollywood? Can you specify one , just one incident
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Vivek Jan 20, 2021 02:16pm
@Anonymouseee - Correct - We have seen freedom of speech in France
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Vivek Jan 20, 2021 02:16pm
@Thunderbird - They are far more defended than your country.
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Vivek Jan 20, 2021 02:17pm
@Mehar Ali - Why are you watching Indian shows?
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Jeet Jan 20, 2021 02:19pm
@Anonymouseee really? What do you know about Hinduism?
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Jeet Jan 20, 2021 02:57pm
I am a hindu and no artistic portrayal really hurts my religious sentiments. My religion is not that weak not my religious concepts are. In fact such bans and legal action is against my religion, that encourages free enquiry, critical analysis and debate on everything including my religion.
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Jeet Jan 20, 2021 03:25pm
@Ali sardar No. Thanks but no thanks. We don't share your sentiments and I believe this whole concept of "my religious sentiments got hurt" is a dark alley with no end. Freedom of speech is there only when its absolute. And nothing should be out of the free, rational, critical enquiry, including religions. All religions and beliefs.
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Debkumar Barendrapunggab Jan 20, 2021 05:41pm
OTT platforms are made for unrealistic stories which do not take any permission from respective authorities. That's why the regulatory body check their transmission. You have to respect the line of democracy.
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Jeet Jan 20, 2021 07:27pm
@Debkumar Barendrapunggab - If you don't like then don't watch it. Who are you or any govt clerk to tell others, whats real or not; or whats good or not?
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