Netflix Sued Over Remarks On Madhuri Dixit In American Sitcom Big Bang Theory

A political analyst has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant Netflix over remarks in an episode of the popular American sitcom The Big Bang Theory alleging the usage of a “derogatory term” referring to Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit. He has claimed the removal of the first episode of season 2 from the show.

Taking to Twitter, the complainant Mithun Vijay Kumar wrote, “Recently, I came across an episode of the show Big Bang Theory on Netflix where Kunal Nayyar's character uses an offensive and derogatory term to refer to the legendary Bollywood actress @MadhuriDixit. As a fan of Madhuri Dixit since childhood, I was deeply disturbed by the dialogue. I found it highly derogatory and offensive towards Indian culture and women.”

Don't Miss:Being A Brown Daughter: How I Grew Up Being Called 'Paraya Dhan' & Got Limited Access To Most Things

“So I asked my lawyer to send a legal notice to Netflix, requesting that they remove the episode from their platform. It's important to hold media companies accountable for the content they distribute, and I hope that @NetflixIndia will take this matter seriously,” he further added.

The Big Bang Theory Episode Controversy

According to the complainant, the aforementioned episode features Kunal Nayyar's character Raj Koothrapalli and Jim Parsons's character Sheldon Cooper comparing Aishwarya Rai and Dixit. In the scene, Sheldon Cooper calls Aishwarya Rai a poor man's Madhuri Dixit. And in response to his comment, Raj Koothrapalli replies, "Aishwarya Rai is a goddess, by comparison, Madhuri Dixit is a leprous prostitute".

Kumar, a social activist and an author, also shared the legal notice sent to the streaming giant. In the notice, he wrote, “This is highly derogatory and offensive towards Indian culture and women.”

Recently, I came across an episode of the show Big Bang Theory on Netflix where Kunal Nayyar's character uses an offensive and derogatory term to refer to the legendary Bollywood actress @MadhuriDixit. As a fan of Madhuri Dixit since childhood, I was deeply disturbed by the… pic.twitter.com/pvRCKd5Ne4

— Mithun Vijay Kumar (@MVJonline) March 22, 2023

“My client is deeply concerned about the negative impact that such content can have on society, particularly in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination against women. This content is not only insensitive but also promotes sexism and misogyny, which is unacceptable in any form," the notice read.

Don't Miss:A Reality Check For Gen Zs & Millennials Who Think ‘Feminism Has Gone Too Far’

"It is important to hold companies like Netflix accountable for their actions and to ensure that they are sensitive to the cultural values and sentiments of the communities they serve. I was deeply troubled by the use of a derogatory term in one of the shows on Netflix - Big Bang Theory. This term was used in reference to the acclaimed actress Madhuri Dixit, and it was not only offensive and deeply hurtful but also showed a lack of regard for her dignity.”

Jaya Bachchan On 'Offensive' Remarks On Madhuri Dixit

Reacting to the incident, veteran actor Jaya Bachchan addressed the media and asked if Kunal Nayyar is “insane”. She further said that he has a “badi gandi zubaan hai (he is foul-mouthed) and that the actor needs “to be sent to mental asylum,” and his family should be asked what they think of his comment.

The 2007 television show, The Big Bang Theory, bagged by Netflix in 2016, revolves around two brilliant but socially awkward physicists who are made aware of how little they know about life outside of the lab when a woman moves into the apartment across the hall from them.