Gurugram: The Hooda Khap—one of the most influential community councils in Haryana—has sent a legal notice to Netflix India and the makers of ‘Do Patti’, demanding an apology for “defaming” Jats in the film. It has called for the word ‘Hooda’ to be removed from a “derogatory” dialogue delivered by actor Shaheer Sheikh, calling on Netflix to stop streaming the film till this is done.
A copy of the notice sent Saturday via email by social activist Surender Singh Hooda, a member of the Hooda Khap, was marked to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the information and broadcasting minister. A follow-up notice was also sent to the parties Monday, saying they had 13 hours to make the changes.
The Hooda Khap has alleged that the film contains derogatory language that labels members of the Hooda Gotra (clan) in particular, and the Jat community in general, as criminals.
In the legal notice, Surender argued that the portrayal is not only inaccurate but also deeply offensive to the community’s values and reputation.
Therefore, the Hooda Khap demanded that state authorities and Netflix take swift action. The legal notice has sought a “public apology” from the film’s producer Kathha Pictures, Sheikh, director Shashanka Chaturvedi, and writer Kanika Dhillon.
समय-समय पर जाट समाज की छवि धूमिल करने के प्रयास हुए हैं।ऐसा ही एक आपराधिक षड्यंत्र शुक्रवार को नेटफ्लिक्स पर जारी फ़िल्म “दो पत्ती”के माध्यम से @netflix @KanikaDhillon @Shaheer_S के द्वारा हुड्डा गोत्र को बदनाम करने का किया गया है।
-सुरेन्द्र सिंह हुड्डा
📍गुरुग्राम pic.twitter.com/6T1YBFEQwO
— Surender Singh Hooda 🇮🇳 (@SSHOODA3) October 27, 2024
ThePrint has reached Netflix India and Kathha Pictures for comment via email. This report will be updated if and when their responses are received.
Also Read: Khaps ask Haryana CM to ban live-ins, amend law to restrict marriages in same ‘gaon, guvandh, gotra’
‘Criminal offence’
The thriller, starring Kriti Sanon, Shaheer Sheikh and Kajol, ‘Do Patti’ revolves around twin sisters who harbour vicious rivalry and end up falling for an abusive man. One of the twins, who gets married to Shaheer Sheikh’s character Dhruv Sood, is subject to domestic violence.
In a courtroom scene, Sheikh’s character Dhruv says, ‘Is this called a murder? Let me tell you, Hoodas lived in our locality. They burnt their daughter-in-law alive in broad daylight in front of everyone, this is murder!’
This is the dialogue the Hooda Khap has raised objection to.
In the legal notice, Surender wrote that ‘Do Patti’ “caused a criminal offence” by including this dialogue and alleged that the movie purposely did that to defame the Hoodas and Jats, as a whole. The advocate added that he and his wife were “shocked” after watching the film due to the “derogatory dialogue” delivered by Sheikh’s character.
“In order to stop the controversy here itself, it is expected from Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP and from Film Do Patti’s Producer, Story writer & Dialogues Writer: Ms. Kanika Dhillon, Director: Mr. Shashanka Chaturvedi and Actor: Mr. Shaheer Sheikh to issue a public apology for their criminal act of defaming our surname, “Hooda” and our Jat community,” the legal notice read.
Surender further wrote that if the marked persons do not issue a public apology, he would be “forced to initiate appropriate legal and social action” against them.
Hooda Khap president Om Prakash Hooda told ThePrint that if Netflix does not take any action within 72 hours of receiving the legal notice, the community council would contact other khaps of Haryana and urge the Sarv Khap, an assembly of several khap panchayats, to take stringent action against the makers of ‘Do Patti’.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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