As Netflix Secures Rights for OTT Release of “Animal,” Nguvu Change Leader Demands Legal Warnings During Scenes Depicting Gender-Based Violence
Citing the example of the crime show-inspired murder of Shraddha Walker, Aishwarya Ramasamy’s petition reminds Netflix that life can imitate violent art.
As the controversy surrounding the virulent violence and misogyny in the recent film ‘Animal’ reaches a crescendo, Aishwarya Ramasamy, leader of the Nguvu change is focusing attention on many popular films that have inspired crimes against women in the real life.
walker – May 2022, strangled by her partner Aaftab Poonawala, body dismembered into 35 pieces, refrigerated with the intention of disposing of them over the course of a few months. Inspired by the American police series “Dexter”.
Vishnupriya – October 2022, 18 deep stabs by partner Shyamjith after she called off the relationship. Inspired by the Malayalam film ‘Anjaam Pathira’, which revolved around a serial killer.
vidya – September 2019, strangled to death by her husband Prem Kumar and his partner. Body buried in the forests of a neighboring state. Inspired by the 2013 hit movie ‘Drishyam’.
Nguvu Change leader Aishwarya Ramasamy asks: “When there is clearly a recurring pattern of violent films and crime series inspiring horrendous murders of women, should films like ‘Animal’ be allowed to normalize gender-based violence, glorify misogyny and promote the commodification of women?”
The 2023 NCRB report released last week cites states that in 2022, crimes against women increased by 4%, and 31.4% of cases involved cruelty by husbands and family members. In 2022, more than 4.45 lakh crimes against women were reported, one of them every 51 minutes.
“Netflix will reportedly begin streaming ‘Animal’ starting in January 2024. I strongly urge Netflix to start posting disclaimers with this movie on scenes depicting crimes against women and to set an example for other platforms.” OTT in creating awareness on gender-based violence,” says Aishwarya. .
“When adding “Smoking Kills” as a disclaimer, why not also include a warning that would deter potential criminals from harming a woman? Doesn’t violence also kill? Aishwarya adds.
In 2018, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission issued a directive to the regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), seeking to include the legal caveat; “Violence against women is punishable by law” during scenes of violence against women.
Now it’s asking one of the world’s largest OTT platforms to be an ally to women and include gender-sensitive legal warnings so that more than a million Indian subscribers, several of them still at an impressionable age, can learn the connection. between action and consequence. Aishwarya believes this small change can raise awareness that inflicting violence is neither heroic nor ethically acceptable.
The petition is addressed to Monika Shergill, Head of Content at Netflix India, Ameet Dhanwani Films and Licensing at Netflix India and Karuna Gulyani, Head of Communications at Netflix India.
