Miranda House College Objects to ‘Ziddi Girls’ Series, Issues Legal Notice
Miranda House, a highly regarded women’s college affiliated with Delhi University, has initiated legal proceedings against the creators of Amazon Prime’s web series, ‘Ziddi Girls.’ The institution’s authorities are responding to a recently released trailer that they consider defamatory and misrepresentative of the college’s environment.
The core of the college’s objection lies in a controversial voice-over featured in the trailer, which stated, “Aaj MH mein padhai nahi, porn chalta hai,” which translates to “Today, at MH, it’s not studying, it’s porn.” This statement triggered strong reactions from the college’s administration, students, and alumni, all of whom condemned the portrayal as inaccurate and damaging to the college’s reputation.
The show, set in a fictional college called Matilda House (MH), appears to be based on the premise of Miranda House, specifically referencing the renowned women’s college. The series follows the lives of five students as they navigate their journeys of self-discovery.
According to sources, a committee comprised of eight members, headed by Principal Prof. Bijayalaxmi Nanda and including student representatives, made the decision to pursue legal action. The college expressed deep disappointment, particularly as portions of the series were filmed on campus, and the director, Shonali Bose, is a notable alumna. Furthermore, the college has raised concerns regarding the continued distribution of the objectionable trailer and the use of the acronym ‘MH,’ which is closely associated with Miranda House.
Following the uproar, the series’ makers issued a revised trailer that included a disclaimer clarifying that the show is entirely fictional and not intended to disparage any institution. The disclaimer stated, “This series is a work of fiction. It’s based on a fictional institution and characters. It’s not intended to defame any person, organization, or educational institution. Viewer’s discretion is advised.” Despite this, Miranda House’s authorities remain unsatisfied. They are demanding the removal of the original trailer and are also requesting a preview of the series before its release.
Despite the release of the new trailer, Miranda House officials maintain that the damage has already been done. As a result, they have filed a police complaint and issued a formal legal notice to the creators of the show. The authorities insist on taking necessary actions to protect the college’s image and address the misinformation promoted by the initial trailer.
