The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has filed a complaint against the makers of Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumar’s 2.0 for 'promoting anti-scientific attitudes towards mobile phones and cellular networks'. 

In their complaint addressed to the I&B Ministry and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the non-profit telecommunication association has slammed the film for “falsely depicting mobile phones and mobile towers as harmful to living creatures and the environment including birds and human beings.”

In 2.0, Akshay plays the role of a crazed ornithologist who blames the electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from mobile phones for the death of animals and birds. Protesting this premise, COAI said in its statement that there is “no evidence” for such an impact of mobile services and towers, and thus the film’s concept is prejudicial to members of the association. As a result, they have accused the makers of violating the guidelines of the Indian Cinematograph Act (1952) and have requested the I&B Ministry and the CBFC to intervene in the matter. 

Directed by Shankar, 2.0 is a follow-up to his hugely-successful 2010 sci-fi film, Enthiran/Robot. Produced by Lyca Productions, the film is made on an estimated budget of Rs 510 crore and is touted to be the biggest film made in India so far. 

2.0 is scheduled to hit the screens in 14 languages this Thursday.