Netflix gets Legal Notice for ‘Derogatory’ Remarks on Madhuri Dixit
A political analyst has filed a lawsuit against video-streaming platform Netflix over an episode in the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory.
According to reports, in the complaint, he claimed that the show uses a “derogatory term” to refer to Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit.
In the legal notice, political analyst Mithun Vijay Kumar said he wants the streaming giant to remove the first episode of season 2 where Kunal Nayyar’s character Raj Koothrapalli and Jim Parsons’s character Sheldon Cooper compare Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit.
In the scene, Sheldon Cooper calls Aishwarya Rai a poor man’s Madhuri Dixit.
To this, Raj Koothrapalli replies: “Aishwarya Rai is a goddess, by comparison, Madhuri Dixit is a leprous prostitute.”
Kumar said the character’s comments are both disrespectful and defamatory.
He has asked Netflix to remove the episode or face legal action for promoting discrimination against women.
The notice has been sent to the Netflix office in Mumbai.
The notice read: “My client is deeply concerned about the negative impact that such content can have on society, particularly in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination against women.
“This content is not only insensitive but also promotes sexism and misogyny, which is unacceptable in any form.”
Kumar said: “It is important to hold companies like Netflix accountable for their actions and to ensure that they are sensitive to the cultural values and sentiments of the communities they serve.
“I was deeply troubled by the use of a derogatory term in one of the shows on Netflix – Big Bang Theory.
“This term was used in reference to the acclaimed actress Madhuri Dixit, and it was not only offensive and deeply hurtful but also showed a lack of regard for her dignity.”
Recently, I came across an episode of the show Big Bang Theory on Netflix where Kunal Nayyar’s character uses an offensive and derogatory term to refer to the legendary Bollywood actress @MadhuriDixit. As a fan of Madhuri Dixit since childhood, I was deeply disturbed by the… pic.twitter.com/pvRCKd5Ne4
— Mithun Vijay Kumar (@MVJonline) March 22, 2023
The Big Bang Theory, which was created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, debuted in 2007 and ended its 12-season run in 2019.
Meanwhile, actor-politician Jaya Bachchan has reacted to the statement against Madhuri Dixit.
She said angrily: “Is this man (Kunal Nayyar) insane? Badi gandi zubaan hai.
“He needs to be sent to a mental asylum. His family should be asked what they think of his comment.”
Urmila Matondkar and Dia Mirza also reacted to the news.
The former said: “What?! I have no idea about the whole episode, so I shouldn’t be commenting.
“But if it is true, it is beyond outrageous. It shows their extremely cheap mentality. Do they really think this is humorous?”
Dia Mirza said: “It is disrespectful and distasteful.”