Close X
    Sunday, November 24, 2024
    ADVT 
    Bollywood

    Priyanka Chopra Starrer Quantico: ABC Apologises For Hindu Terror Plot After Online Backlash

    IANS, 08 Jun, 2018 11:28 AM

      US television studio ABC has apologised to Indian fans of its crime drama Quantico after an episode featuring Indian nationalists trying to frame Pakistan in a terrorist plot sparked online outrage against Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, who plays a lead role in the show.

       

      “The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who didn’t create the show, nor does she write or direct it,” said Walt Disney-owned ABC in its statement.

       
       

      After the recent Quantico episode, Chopra has faced online attacks and even some calls to boycott her work and the brands that she endorses, including South Korean giant Samsung Electronics Co.

       

      Others called on the government to black out the scene where Chopra, who stars as an FBI agent in the series, holds up sacred Hindu prayer beads as evidence that the plotter in the episode, planning to detonate a nuclear bomb in New York, was an Indian nationalist.

       

      “The myth of Hindu terror, by a fake story, enters American television with the help of Priyanka Chopra. Would any Pakistani actress betray Pakistan or Islam the way she betrays India and Hinduism?”, David Frawley, a Hindu scholar based in the United States, tweeted.

       
       

      ABC, in its statement, said Chopra has no involvement in the storylines depicted in the series. “The show has featured antagonists of many different ethnicities and backgrounds, but in this case we inadvertently and regrettably stepped into a complex political issue. It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone,” ABC said in a statement on Friday.

       

      While Priyanka has kept mum about the whole issue, Bangladeshi-American writer Sharbari Ahmed -- who worked on the first season of the show -- has said that she is appalled by the reactions of Indian tweeters.

       
       

      In an interview with Mid-Day Ahmed said, "The swift reaction (to the episode) indicates the state of mind that India is in. It is so similar to the absurd reaction they had to Padmaavat. The idea of nationalism in itself is taking on a problematic colour. It says essentially that I am better than you, my culture and beliefs are superior to yours."

       
       

      Defending Priyanka's silence over the issue, she added, "Priyanka is a smart woman. I doubt she would be involved if the episode was offensive. ABC (the network) would be sensitive to that as well. It is absurd that there is such an uproar about a fictional show."

       

      But in a recently issued statement by the network, it looks like ABC differs from Ahmed's opinion. The network apologised for having stepped into a sensitive political issue.

       
       

      "ABC Studios and the executive producers of Quantico would like to extend an apology to our audience who were offended by the most recent episode, 'The Blood of Romeo.' The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who didn’t create the show, nor does she write or direct it. She has no involvement in the casting of the show or the storylines depicted in the series," the ABC statement read.

       

      "Quantico is a work of fiction. The show has featured antagonists of many different ethnicities and backgrounds, but in this case we inadvertently and regrettably stepped into a complex political issue. It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone," it continued.

       

      After the episode, Priyanka Chopra, an Indian, was trolled brutally. Twitter slammed her for the plot and tweets like "shame on you, Priyanka Chopra. Why are you making people dig into your half Christian religion behind your contribution to anti-India/anti-Hindu propaganda? How low you Bollywoodtards will fall for money & fame?" were posted. Some people wrote that Priyanka has 'let down several Indians.'

       

      Here are some tweets.

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

      Quantico will go off air after season 3

      Prev Next

      MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

      'Veere Di Wedding' Banned In Pakistan Over 'Vulgar Dialogues'

      Bollywood film "Veere Di Wedding", starring stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor in a story of four girls, has been banned in Pakistan because of "vulgar dialogues and obscene scenes."

      'Veere Di Wedding' Banned In Pakistan Over 'Vulgar Dialogues'

      I Think I Was Destined To Play Sunil Dutt: Paresh Rawal

      I Think I Was Destined To Play Sunil Dutt: Paresh Rawal
      Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, who turned a year older on Wednesday, is all set to essay the role of the late Sunil Dutt in the film "Sanju", a biopic of Sanjay Dutt. He feels he was destined to play the role.

      I Think I Was Destined To Play Sunil Dutt: Paresh Rawal

      I'm Not Made For Bollywood: Baba Sehgal

      I'm Not Made For Bollywood: Baba Sehgal
      Rapper-composer Baba Sehgal, who is known for tracks like "Thanda thanda paani" and "Dil dhadke", says he is not made for Bollywood.

      I'm Not Made For Bollywood: Baba Sehgal

      Amitabh Bachchan Roped In By Central Railways For Safety Campaign

      A few short films, featuring actor Naseeruddin Shah and directors Sisir Mishra and Nishikant Kamat, have already been screened on social media platforms.

      Amitabh Bachchan Roped In By Central Railways For Safety Campaign

      Anushka's Character In 'Sanju' Inspired By Film's Writers

      Anushka's Character In 'Sanju' Inspired By Film's Writers
      The mystery around actress Anushka Sharma's role in "Sanju" was unravelled here as director Rajkumar Hirani revealed that her character as a biographer is modelled on himself and Abhijat Joshi, who have co-written the film.

      Anushka's Character In 'Sanju' Inspired By Film's Writers

      I Really Want Sanjay Dutt To Like Me, Says Ranbir Kapoor

      I Really Want Sanjay Dutt To Like Me, Says Ranbir Kapoor
      Actor Ranbir Kapoor, glimpses of whose portrayal as Sanjay Dutt in the trailer of "Sanju" has left the audience asking for more, says he really wants the senior actor to like him and his work.

      I Really Want Sanjay Dutt To Like Me, Says Ranbir Kapoor

      PrevNext