Director Ali Abbas Zafar has issued a statement on the Tandav row. The nine-part political thriller series has been mired in controversy since its January 15 launch. The show, which stars Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, and others in the lead, has been accused of hurting religious sentiments and mocking a Hindu deity. 

A day ago, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had summoned the makers to provide an explanation for the complaints raised against the show. It was followed by an FIR against the makers, including Ali and writer Gaurav Solanki, on Sunday night. 

In a joint statement, Ali issued an unconditional apology for unintentionally hurting religious sentiments.

“We have been closely monitoring viewer reactions to the web series Tandav and today during a discussion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has informed us regarding a large number of grievances and petitions received on various facets of the web series with serious concerns and apprehensions regarding its content hurting the sentiments of the people,” the statement read. 

On social media, complaints were raised against a scene where actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub was seen playing Lord Shiva in a college theatre performance. Detractors have objected to the scene claiming it creates a mockery of the Hindu deity. 

People have also objected to a scene where actor Anup Soni, playing a Dalit politician, is insulted by the Prime Minister of India. 

“The web series Tandav is a work of fiction and any resemblance to acts and persons and events is purely coincidental,” the makers said in their statement. 

“The cast and crew did not have any intention to offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead. The cast and crew of Tandav take cognizance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologise if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments.”