Netflix Asked To Stop Streaming Bombay Begums Over Inappropriate Portrayal Of Children

Netflix to stop streaming Bombay Begums? The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), apex child rights body, has asked Netflix to take down Bombay Begums, objecting to the inappropriate portrayal of children in the web series. In a notice sent to Netflix on Thursday, NCPCR has requested the OTT platform to stop streaming the series which allegedly normalises minors indulging in casual sex and drug abuse. The series is about the lives of four women who go through different experiences, challenges and the relationship with society. The show was out on March 8.

The commission has asked the streaming giant to submit a detailed action report within 24 hours or face legal action. The commission also said this type of content "will not only pollute the young minds but may also result in abuse and exploitation of children," NDTV reported.

“Netflix should take extra precaution while streaming any content in respect of the children or for the children and shall also refrain themselves from getting into such things.” The notice further read, adding, “Therefore, you are directed to look into this matter and immediately stop streaming of this series and furnish a detailed action report within 24 hours, failing which the Commission will be constrained to initiate appropriate action pursuant to the provisions of Section 14 of the CPCR (Commission for Protection of Child Rights) Act, 2005.”

Bombay Begums stars Pooja Bhatt, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash and Plabita Borthakur in lead roles. The show is directed by critically acclaimed screenwriter and director Alankrita Shrivastava. Read our Bombay Begums review here

On making women-oriented work

In conversation with SheThePeople, Shrivastava said that she is mostly drawn to the stories of women and feels the need to present those stories to people. She added, ”I must say that my aim is not to be known for X or Y, I think that it is actually to tell the story that I feel drawn to and passionate about. Somehow, those stories are about women and their experiences.”

“I am interested in stories where there’s something new for me to explore; something that I can really dig deep into. And I find that in the interesting stories about women which come to me,” she said.