Ekta kapoor in trouble? Mumbai police probe after hindustani bhau’s complaint on army uniform scene

In June 2020, producer Ekta Kapoor faced significant controversy over a scene in her web series "XXX Season 2," streamed on ALTBalaji. The contentious scene depicted an army officer's wife engaging in an extramarital affair, during which her partner dons and subsequently desecrates the officer's uniform. This portrayal was perceived by many as disrespectful to the Indian Army and its personnel.

Hindustani Bhau

The issue gained prominence when Vikas Pathak, popularly known as 'Hindustani Bhau,' filed a police complaint against Ekta Kapoor and her mother, Shobha Kapoor, at Mumbai's Khar Police Station. He accused them of insulting the Indian military and national emblems through the objectionable content in the series. Pathak's complaint highlighted that the scene not only disrespected the army uniform but also tarnished the image of soldiers who serve the nation diligently. 

Constructive criticism over abusive behavior

In response to the mounting criticism and legal actions, Ekta Kapoor issued a public apology, emphasizing that the controversial scene was an unintended oversight. She stated that upon recognizing the lapse, the content was promptly removed from the platform to prevent further offense. Kapoor expressed her deep respect for the Indian Army, acknowledging their immense contribution to national security, and reiterated that there was no intention to hurt sentiments. Despite the removal of the scene and the issued apology, Kapoor faced severe backlash, including threats and online harassment. She condemned the cyberbullying and emphasized that while the content had been addressed, the aggressive trolling and threats were unacceptable. Kapoor stressed the importance of constructive criticism over abusive behavior. 

Central Board of Film Certification

The controversy also prompted the Defence Ministry to intervene. In July 2020, the ministry wrote to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), advising that producers obtain a no-objection certificate before telecasting content related to the armed forces. This move aimed to ensure that future portrayals of the military in films and web series are handled with the requisite sensitivity and respect. This incident underscores the critical responsibility of content creators to portray national institutions, especially the armed forces, with accuracy and respect, acknowledging the profound impact such representations can have on public sentiment and the morale of service members.