Controversy Erupts Over Tamil Film Bad Girl as Court Orders Teaser Removal

Court Ruling on Bad Girl Teaser

The Tamil movie Bad Girl has become embroiled in controversy after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court mandated that the Central Government remove its teaser from all social media platforms within a month. This ruling was prompted by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging that the teaser features inappropriate content involving minors.

A Pattern of Backlash

In India, Bad Girl is not alone; it joins a growing list of films and series that have faced public backlash, censorship, and institutional resistance for addressing themes of female desire, independence, and defiance against patriarchal norms.

Veere Di Wedding's Controversy

In 2018, the film Veere Di Wedding, directed by Shashanka Ghosh, ignited controversy due to a scene depicting female masturbation. The movie, which highlighted female friendships and societal pressures surrounding marriage, faced significant online trolling, resulting in slut-shaming and public outrage.

S Durga's Backlash

In 2017, S Durga, initially titled Sexy Durga, encountered backlash for allegedly offending Hindu sentiments. Directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, the film tackled gender issues but was ultimately removed from the Indian Panorama section at the IFFI due to the surrounding controversy.

Lipstick Under My Burkha's Challenges

Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) also stirred controversy. Its candid exploration of female sexuality and the tension between hijab and modernity led the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to deny it a release certificate, labeling it as “lady-oriented” with “sexual scenes.”

Parched's Bold Narrative

Leena Yadav’s Parched (2015), set in rural India, featured bold depictions of female pleasure and autonomy, igniting discussions about women's roles in traditionally conservative settings.

Margarita with a Straw's Censorship

Margarita with a Straw (2014), directed by Shonali Bose, explored themes of bisexuality and disability through a lead character with cerebral palsy. The film faced censorship due to its portrayal of queer intimacy and masturbation scenes.

The Landmark Case of Fire

The most significant controversy arose from Fire (1996), a film by Deepa Mehta that depicted lesbian love and women constrained by traditional roles. The characters Sita and Radha sparked violent protests from right-wing groups, leading to the film's temporary withdrawal before it was eventually re-released.