Netflix’s Bombay Begums in trouble over ‘inappropriate portrayal of children’

The much talked about Netflix series Bombay Begums is grabbing the headlines once again. The Pooja Bhatt-starrer web show is now in trouble over alleged ‘inappropriate portrayal of children.’

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the Maharashtra Home Secretary to file a complaint against the series as they allegedly portray children indulging in casual sex and drug abuse. The NCPCR has also sought out the Mumbai Police commissioner to take a report on the matter in three days.

The commission has written a letter to Maharashtra Home Ministry's Additional Chief Secretary Manu Kumar Shrivastva to register an FIR against the show because they need ‘permission from higher authorities’ for matters like these, which fall in the grey area.

A report on PTI quoted the letter as, "Since this is a serious issue where police are not following the laid procedure of the land, hence, you are requested to look into this matter and ensure that no further child rights and law of land is violated in this matter. It is also requested that an action taken report may be furnished to the Commission within three days."

Earlier in March, NPCPR had asked Netflix to stop streaming the web show owing to the same reason. They had then stated that the show could ‘also result in abuse and exploitation of children.’

The show, directed by Alankrita Srivastava, released on March 8 on the streaming platform Netflix.

Apart from Pooja, the series also stars Shahana Goswami, Plabita Borthakur and Amruta Subhash in the lead roles. Imaad Shah, Rahul Bose, Manish Chaudhary and Nauheed Cyrusi also appear in the series in pivotal roles.