Scared Games: Why Netflix discontinuing Sacred Games over Varun Grover allegations is wrong
Some time earlier this year, Kevin Spacey’s House Of Cards came crumbling down when he was accused of sexual harassment. In the wake of the #MeToo movement that hit Hollywood, Kevin, along with Harvey Weinstein, was blown off like a twig in a storm.
The allegations were many, a lot was said on Twitter, as is the norm, but it was only after Kevin admitted to the crime and apologised, did Netflix act upon it. Frank Underwood had to go. But the show must go on. Thus, welcome Claire Underwood.
The point to note here is that et all happened after Kevin accepted that he was indeed at fault.
Closer home, however, Netflix didn’t seem to want to wait at all. Much to our despair, Netflix has decided to call off the production of the second season of Sacred Games, according to media reports. Reason? Perhaps owing to allegations of sexual harassment against Sacred Games writer Varun Grover and the show's involvement with the now dissolved Phantom Films, and subsequently Vikas Bahl, who has also been charged with sexual harassment.
“At this time we are evaluating options on the path forward,” said Netflix in an official statement, when we contacted them via email.
Seldom do you see conglomerates retreat with their tails tucked between their legs, but when it comes to treading the Indian consumer market, playing it safe seems to be the mantra to go by.
A couple of months ago Amazon Prime Video pulled down a video they had shared on Twitter with Swara Bhaskar, following backlash from anonymous trolls. While Amazon’s decision was severely criticised, with netizens chiming ‘uninstall Amazon’ the truth is, they didn’t put the video back up.
This time, it is Netflix.
Now, I am all for the #MeToo movement, and would be found booing Varun if found guilty. At this point, however, Varun has categorically denied the charges. And to not give him the scope to defend himself, to stifle his voice without proper investigation, would be an act of bullying. The same bullying we’re all standing up against — at the workplace, under our bosses or seniors, in the hands of powerful men who feel entitled to own everything they fancy.
But Netflix’s hasty decision forces us to question if we are far too quick to judge. Do we have the right to be the jury, arrive on a comfortable, more populist verdict, and then be the executioner too?
Also read: #MeToo vs #ThemToo: Why we fail to critique our kin