Netflix changes allegedly offensive subtitles for ‘Sacred Games’
Giving into pressure, Netflix has decided to make some changes the English subtitles of ‘Sacred Games’ (2018) after the translations were perceived as offensive.
Rajiv Sinha, member of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, filed a complaint with the police, stating, “A serial on Netflix called Sacred Games has a scene in which the protagonist of the serial played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui is seen abusing our late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by calling him ‘fattu’ (pussy as translated in the subtitle of the show and misrepresenting facts during his regime. The serial has crossed all limits of decency and has taken Indian Film Industry to a new low.”
A PIL was also filed by by lawyer Nikhil Bhalla through advocate Shashank Garg, to remove content that tarnished the image of Gandhi. The court matter was filed for August 6th, but now, according to IANS, Netflix has chosen to replace the objectionable word from the show “Now, we are using word ‘wimp’ as the English translation of Hindi word ‘fattu’,”, the platform’s counsel told justice Sanjiv Khanna and justice Chander Shekhar at Delhi High Court.
The court also pointed out that the webseries is permitted to criticise politicians under freedom of speech, “Criticism or even expression of dissatisfaction is permissible. I do not think anyone can have objection to it.”, NDTV reported.
‘Sacred Games’ is currently available to stream on Netflix and stars Siddiqui, Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte, among others.
