Indian Air Force Slams Netflix For Objectionable Scenes In Upcoming Movie, Streaming Giant Apologizes

The Indian Air Force (IAF) slammed Netflix for showing objectionable scenes in a soon-to-be released movie after the trailer for it was uploaded on Twitter by the streaming giant.

The Air Force on Wednesday put out a tweet, asking the streaming platform to withdraw some scenes from the movie titled “AK vs AK.” The film, which stars Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor in the lead role, is a mockumentary in which Kapoor plays an actor depicting an officer.

In the teaser, the veteran actor can be seen using abusive language and beating up people while wearing the IAF’s uniform.

India’s air unit stated that the Air Force uniform worn by the Bollywood star in the movie has been “inaccurately donned.” Apart from that, the IAF also objected to the offensive language used in the movie. The Air Force also indicated that the language used in the controversial scenes does not go with the “behavioral norms” of those who are serving the nation.

“The IAF uniform in this video is inaccurately donned & the language used is inappropriate. This does not conform to the behavioral norms of those in the Armed Forces of India. The related scenes need to be withdrawn,” IAF tweeted.

The streaming platform took no time in responding to IAF’s objections and clarified that it did not intend to “disrespect the Armed Forces of India.” Netflix also shared that it has the “highest respect for people” who are protecting the nation.

“At no point does the film represent the Indian Air Force or our Armed Forces. We have nothing but the highest respect for the brave people protecting our nation,” Netflix wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Kapoor released an apology video for “unintentionally hurting” anyone’s sentiments.

“I would like to sincerely offer my humble apologies for unintentionally hurting anyone’s sentiments. My character in the film is in a uniform because he’s an actor playing the role of an officer,” Kapoor said in the video.

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film also stars Anurag Kashyap in a pivotal role and will be available for streaming starting Dec. 24.

This is not the first time that Netflix has been part of a controversy in India. Last month, the state of Madhya Pradesh asked the law enforcement authority to file a case and launch an investigation on the streaming service over some scenes in the movie “A Suitable Boy,” which showed a Muslim boy kissing a Hindu girl against the backdrop of a Hindu temple.