Netflix Web Series Bombay Begums Starring Pooja Bhatt Draws Flak from Child Rights Body—NCPCR

Bombay Begum, the new web series that launched on Netflix earlier this month is helmed by Alankrita Shrivastava, known for directing women-centric films like Lipstick Under My Burkha. The show explores the dreams, desires, and disappointments of five women from various walks of life in modern Mumbai. Pooja Bhatt, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash, Plabita Borthakur and Aadhya Anand play lead roles in the show. 

The web series seems to have landed in NCPCR's crosshairs as the commission has asked Netflix to stop streaming the show for the content of the show may result in abuse and exploitation of children.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued a notice to the streaming platform and asked for a detailed report within 24 hours on the action taken by it, failing which it said that it would initiate “appropriate legal action” against the streaming platform.

The notice by NCPR comes on the heels of a complaint by the Twitter handle @GemsOfBollywood, which reported that the web series shows minors indulging in drug abuse on Twitter. 

Objecting to the alleged inappropriate portrayal of children in the series, the notice issued to Netflix by NCPCR states "the Commission does not allow representing, portraying, and glorifying children in India in such a manner on any media platform/internet/OTTs, etc. Netflix should take extra precaution while streaming any content in respect of the children or for the children and shall also refrain themes from getting into such things."

It added, "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."

Source: India Today