Netflix has received a legal notice requesting the removal of the popular television series The Big Bang Theory because it contains an offensive term for the Indian actress Madhuri Dixit.

In one episode, Jim Parson’s character refers to Aishwarya Rai as “a poor man’s Madhuri Dixit.” The character of Kunal Nayyar responds, “Aishwarya Rai is a goddess, while Madhuri Dixit is a leprous prostitute.”

Therefore, the use of such a derogatory term for a legendary actress has caused legal trouble for the show. Mithun Vijay Kumar, a political analyst, has sent a legal notice to OTT giant Netflix demanding the removal of a show on the grounds that it promotes misogyny.

According to HindustanTimes, he issued the following statement: “It is important to hold companies like Netflix accountable for their actions and to ensure that they are sensitive to the cultural values and sentiments of the communities they serve. I strongly believe that streaming service providers have a responsibility to carefully curate the content that they offer on their platforms. It is their duty to ensure that the material they present does not include derogatory, offensive, or defamatory content. I was deeply troubled by the use of a derogatory term in one of the shows on Netflix – Big Bang Theory. This term was used in reference to the acclaimed actress Madhuri Dixit, and it was not only offensive and deeply hurtful but also showed a lack of regard for her dignity.”

“I strongly believe that streaming service providers must take such issues seriously and act quickly to address any instances of offensive or defamatory content. Furthermore, streaming service providers should be proactive in preventing such content from being streamed. This can be achieved through clear guidelines and rigorous screening processes for all the content published. Ultimately, streaming services have a significant influence over the content consumed by millions of individuals. With this influence comes a responsibility to ensure that the content they offer is respectful, inclusive, and free from harmful stereotypes. I hope that this incident will serve as a wake-up call to all streaming services providers to work towards creating a more equitable and respectful media landscape,” the statement read.

The Big Bang Theory was broadcast from September 2007 until May 2019. Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kunal Nayyar, Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and Simon Helberg appeared on the show. According to News18, the popular television series has a large global fan base.