Raising objection to the “inaccurate” donning of its uniform and the language used by actor Anil Kapoor in the trailer of a new Netflix film AK vs AK , the Indian Air Force (IAF) has written to Netflix asking them to delete the objectionable scenes before the film is released.
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Netflix tweeted saying their intention “would never be to disrespect” the armed forces of India in any regard. Mr. Kapoor too put out a video to “sincerely offer humble apology for unintentionally hurting anyone’s sentiments.” “The IAF uniform in this video is inaccurately donned and the language used is inappropriate. This does not conform to the behavioural norms of those in the armed forces of India. The related scenes need to be withdrawn,” the IAF said on Twitter. The promo also drew sharp responses from the veteran community on social media. The movie, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 24.
“We have written to Netflix and Defence Ministry on the objectionable scenes and further course of action depends on their response,” an IAF official said. We have asked them to delete the objectionable scenes in the film, the official added.
Netflix said that AK Vs. AK is a film in which Mr. Kapoor and his co-stars are playing themselves as actors. “At no point does the film represent the Indian Air Force or our armed forces. We have nothing but the highest respect for the brave people protecting our nation,” it stated.
Explaining the context, Mr. Kapoor said in the film the actor is playing the role of an officer whose fighter was kidnapped. The anger and rage he experiences and portrays is that of an emotionally distraught father and to stay true to the character the actor stays in uniform, he added.
Recently, IAF had also objected to the negative portrayal of the force in the Netlflix movie Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl. It had also objected to the portrayal of officers as gender biased in the film.
