'Bad Girl' teaser controversy: High Court orders centre to submit counter-affidavit

The film 'Bad Girl', directed by Varsha Bharath, who previously worked as an assistant to renowned filmmaker Vetri Maaran, has been jointly produced by Vetri Maaran and Anurag Kashyap. Featuring music by Amit Trivedi, the movie stars Anjali Sivaraman, Shanthi Priya, Hrithu Haroon, Teejay Arunasalam, Sashank Bommireddipalli, and Saranya Ravichandran. Marking a significant achievement, 'Bad Girl' won the prestigious NETPAC Award at the 2025 Rotterdam International Film Festival. The film’s narrative explores the emotional and romantic experiences of a teenage girl, aiming to portray her inner conflicts and feelings with depth and authenticity.
However, the film sparked controversy following the release of its teaser, which included scenes portraying sexual themes. The teaser led to heated debates across social media, with many viewers expressing their disapproval and concern about the portrayal of sensitive content. Critics argued that the visuals could negatively influence young audiences. The backlash intensified as many questioned the ethical responsibility of filmmakers in representing such themes. Amid this uproar, a complaint was lodged, asserting that the teaser’s content was inappropriate and could impact the mindset of young students. The petitioner urged legal action against those responsible for the film's production and release.
During a recent court hearing, the judge questioned the complainant on why a direct police complaint had not been filed against the producers and creators of the teaser. According to Indiaglitz Tamil, the court also instructed the central government to file a counter-affidavit in response to the complaint. Subsequently, the case hearing was postponed. While the controversy continues, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about creative freedom, ethical filmmaking, and the portrayal of sensitive subjects in cinema. The case's outcome is expected to have implications for the industry’s approach to such narratives in the future.