Nearly two years after being pulled from Netflix amid controversy, Nayanthara’s 2023 film Annapoorani is set to return to streaming. The film will premiere on JioHotstar from 1st October 2025, but exclusively in Hindi.
Directed by Nilesh Krishnaa and jointly produced by Jatin Sethi and R.Ravindran under Zee Studios, Naad Sstudios, and Trident Arts, Annapoorani tells the story of a young women from a family of temple cooks in Srirangam who dreams of becoming a chef. Her ambitions, however, forces her to confront traditional restrictions, as she is required to cook non-vegetarian food against her community’s religious practices.
The Controversy
Upon release, the film drew sharp criticism for certain scenes. One sequence included a mispronounced sloka from Ramayana, suggesting that Lord Rama consumed meat, while another depicted the protagonist Namaz before cooking briyani. Additionally, the relationship between Annapoorani (Nayanthara) and Farhaan (Jai) was cited by some groups as promoting love jihad.
The backlash intensified after the Hindu Seva Parishad in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, filed an FIR accusing the film of promoting love jihad and hurting Hindu sentiments. Following this, Zee Studious issued a formal apology addressed to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, while Nayanthara also released a statement apologising for unintentionally offending viewers.
In January 2024, Netflix removed Annapoorani from it’s platform worldwide.
A Second Life on OTT
Despite the controversy, Annapoorani is set for a streaming comeback. The film will now stream on JioHotstar but only in Hindi, suggesting a cautious reintroduction to audiences after it’s earlier withdrawal.
About the Film
The film also features an ensemble cast including, Nayanthara, Achyuth Kumar, KS Ravikumar, Jai, Sathyaraj, Redin Kingsley, and Karthik Kumar. Notably, Annapoorani marked Nayanthara’s 75th film, a milestone in her career.
With it’s new OTT release, industry watchers are keen to see whether Annapoorani will gain a fresh audience or reignite old debates.
Source: Cinema Express
