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Amazon Prime show 'Tandav' faces calls for a ban in India | CNN Business

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Hong Kong / New Delhi (CNN Business) wants India to play a key role in its ambitions to conquer streaming video. But the company now faces a political backlash over one of its new original shows. Authorities are looking into claims that Amazon's new Prime Video series "Tandav" includes religiously insensitive content. Several Indian politicians say they have complained to the police or regulators about the company and the show's creators.The title is a political drama that has been likened to the hit series "House of Cards." It was on Amazon's streaming service and boasts some of Bollywood's biggest names, including celebrity director Ali Abbas Zafar and actor Saif Ali Khan.The show follows a power-hungry politician who is willing to do anything to become the country's prime minister. It is loosely based on real political controversies that have erupted across the country as Hindu nationalism has grown.The show's depiction of some Hindu deities, though, has drawn ire from local lawmakers. Manoj Kotak, a member of parliament from Mumbai, Sunday on Twitter that he has written to the country's Minister of Information and Broadcasting urging him to "ban [the] controversial web series." Read MoreKotak, who is a member of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said that the show's creators appeared to be "deliberately mocking Hindu Gods."CNN Business has requested comment from both Amazon and Zafar, the director of the series, but has yet to receive a response.But Zafar expressed on Monday, posting a from Tandav's cast and crew."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," the statement read. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which an intention to start regulating streaming services, said Monday that it had reached out to executives at Amazon about the show. "A discussion will happen on this," a spokesperson told CNN Business.The series has prompted other lawmakers to go to the police. Ram Kadam, another BJP leader and local legislator in the state of Maharashtra, said he filed a police complaint in Mumbai over the weekend, accusing Amazon of intending to "outrage religious sentiments" and publish "material which can cause harm."Local police confirmed that they had received Kadam's complaint, but had not yet started an investigation. Police initiated a separate investigation on Sunday in the state of Uttar Pradesh against Zafar, as well as Aparna Purohit, Amazon's chief of Indian original Prime Video content, according to a for the state's chief minister.Filed complaint against Tandav Web Series at Ghatkopar police station.Police has assured quick investigation, FIR under Sec 295A of IPC, Section 67A of IT Act &amp; Atrocities Act.Producer, Director, Writer, Actors &amp; Amazon to be summoned soon. — Ram Kadam - राम कदम (@ramkadam) The series has also been hit by negative reviews , which claim that the show promotes a "Hindu-phobic agenda" or comes across as "anti-Hindu."India is a crucial market for Amazon. This month, a company executive called the country "one of the most exciting streaming markets in the world right now."During the pandemic, the firm "doubled down our investment on films in this period," Gaurav Gandhi, director and general manager of Amazon Prime Video in India, told in a recent interview.Original content is key to that strategy, with more than 80 titles in production or development, Purohit told the outlet.This isn't the first time Amazon has run into hot water in India.The e-commerce and technology giant has had to from its site that offended customers, such as a doormat that showed the Indian flag, or a skateboard that depicted an image of the Hindu god Ganesha. (Critics said that selling such goods was disrespectful, because they involved placing one's feet on revered or religious symbols.)The "Tandav" incident is also reminiscent of a with in India. Last year, the streaming giant faced boycott calls in the country over a now-infamous kissing scene in one of its shows.The exchange, which takes place in the series, "A Suitable Boy," depicts a young Hindu woman being kissed by a Muslim man at a Hindu temple. The show angered some viewers in India, prompting a police complaint against Netflix executives. Netflix declined to comment Monday about the current status of that complaint. A police official told CNN Business the investigation was ongoing.The news comes at a sensitive time for streaming services in the country. Last fall, the Indian government announced for digital media, saying that online streaming platforms would be regulated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.That could force companies like Amazon and Netflix to follow the same restrictions as traditional media, such as rules about showing violence or nudity.— CNN's Vedika Sud contributed to this report.

Hong Kong / New Delhi (CNN Business) wants India to play a key role in its ambitions to conquer streaming video. But the company now faces a political backlash over one of its new original shows. Authorities are looking into claims that Amazon's new Prime Video series "Tandav" includes religiously insensitive content. Several Indian politicians say they have complained to the police or regulators about the company and the show's creators.The title is a political drama that has been likened to the hit series "House of Cards." It was on Amazon's streaming service and boasts some of...

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Amazon Prime show 'Tandav' faces calls for a ban in India | CNN Business

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