‘Tandav’ team extend apologies; releases statement after backlash

The political drama web series, ‘Tandav’ which released on January 15 on Amazon Prime Videos has received immense flak for hurting religious sentiments. BJP’s Manoj Kotak wrote to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar seeking a ban on the series for allegedly ridiculing the Hindu gods. However, on Monday, the director Ali Abbas Zafar issued an official statement and extended apologies from the cast and crew.

The statement read as: “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 with serious concerns and apprehensions regarding its content hurting the sentiments of the people.”

“The web series Tandav is a work of fiction and any resemblance to acts and persons and events is purely coincidental. 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.”

Check out the statement here:

Our sincere apologies . pic.twitter.com/Efr9s0kYnl

— ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) January 18, 2021

On Monday, an FIR was lodged against the makers for promoting enmity and causing public mischief, said the Lucknow Police.

This nine-episode series features Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Kumud Misra, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sarah Jane Dias, Kritika Kamra, Dino Morea, Sandhya Mridul, Amyra Dastur, and Anup Soni.

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