Netflix has been served a legal notice by political analyst Mithun Vijay Kumar in response to an episode of the popular sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, which contains a joke about renowned Indian actress Madhuri Dixit. Kumar has asked the streaming service to remove the first episode of season two in which Raj Koothrapalli, played by Kunal Nayyar, and Jim Parsons’ character, Sheldon Cooper, compare Dixit to fellow actress Aishwarya Rai.
In the notice, Kumar argues that the comments made by Nayyar’s character are both offensive and defamatory, and he has requested that Netflix removes the episode in question or face legal action for promoting discrimination against women. The legal notice has been sent to Netflix’s office in Mumbai.
Kumar has stated that it is essential to hold companies like Netflix accountable for their actions and ensure that they are sensitive to the cultural values and sentiments of the communities they serve. He further added that he was troubled by the use of a derogatory term in one of the shows on Netflix and felt it showed a lack of regard for Dixit’s dignity.
The Big Bang Theory, a popular CBS sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, aired from 2007 to 2019 and revolves around the lives of two physicists, Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, who share an apartment with their friends and coworkers. The show gained immense popularity and all 12 seasons are currently available on Netflix.
Netflix has not yet responded to the legal notice. This incident highlights the importance of being mindful of cultural values and ensuring that entertainment content does not promote discrimination or derogatory remarks against individuals or communities. It also emphasizes the need for companies like Netflix to be responsible for their actions and ensure that they respect the sentiments and dignity of the people they serve.
