No Season 2 for Amazon Prime’s ‘Tandav’ for ‘Supposed’ religious and Politically Mocking Content
- Meanwhile, Netflix’s “Bombay Begums” gets second season despite receiving criticism for scenes showing children consuming drugs.
Sad news for “Tandav” fans. India’s answer to “House of Cards” will not get be getting a second season. Ali Abbas Zafar’s political thriller on Amazon Prime landed in hot water, creating quite a controversy when it premiered at the start of this year.
The hubbub was caused by a controversial scene featuring Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, who, dressed as Lord Shiva, was seen mouthing lines about ‘azaadi’ and using an expletive. A section of “morally” outraged netizens demanded a ban on “Tandav” and accused the makers of the web series of hurting religious sentiments and mocking the politics of the country. The first season of the series featured acting stalwarts Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub among others.
Earlier this month, Zafar issued an apology on behalf of the cast and crew. His statement reads: “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.” The statement further stated: “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 cognizance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologize if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments.”
However, looks like the apology was not enough. Following the strict Information & Broadcasting guidelines, major OTT platforms are opting to playing it as safe as they can. All upcoming series and films are being “combed by experts,” to ensure that no religious or political sentiments are hurt. A report from SpotboyE reveals that OTT platforms are backing out from producing content related to politics and religion. An unnamed OTT content producer (said to the publication, “None at all, good or bad. We are henceforth going to black out all references to politics and religion.”
On the other hand, Netflix’s “Bombay Begums,” which marks the comeback of Pooja Bhatt and has been receiving some criticism as well has been given a nod for a second season.