In a scathing indictment of the filmmakers behind the controversial Tamil film Bad Girl, the Madras High Court has ruled that the film’s teaser amounts to “child pornography”, exposing the dangerous agenda of those attempting to corrupt adolescent minds under the guise of artistic freedom. Backed by Dravidianist and anti-Hindu ideologues, these filmmakers have sought to normalise vulgarity and erode traditional values under the pretext of modern cinema.
Delivering a decisive blow to such anti-social forces in the film industry, the Court has directed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to ensure the removal of the teaser from YouTube within a month. It has further instructed the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to closely monitor the matter and initiate strict legal action under existing child protection laws.
The petitioners—R. Ramkumar, K. Ramesh Kumar, and Dr. S. Venkatesh—submitted that the teaser, released on 26 January 2025, promotes child sexual exploitation and violates several Indian laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology Act.
The Controversial Film:
Bad Girl, directed by Varsha Bharath, is backed by Dravidianist filmmaker Vetrimaaran in collaboration with Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap. The teaser has faced criticism for its portrayal of a Tamil Brahmin schoolgirl in a manner that vilifies Brahmin traditions while normalising adolescent rebellion through sex, alcohol, and drug use. One particular scene mimics a Brahmin religious ritual in a manner many have found deeply offensive. Though the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave it a U/A certificate, the film is slated for release on 5 September 2025.
Petitioners’ Submissions
The petitioners prayed for a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent—the Union of India, represented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology—to instruct the fifth respondent (Google India Private Limited) to remove the teaser from all online platforms, including YouTube. They further sought that the NCPCR and NCW (respondents 3 and 4) take action under the law, and that criminal proceedings be initiated against those responsible for producing and distributing the teaser, under provisions of the POCSO Act, the POSH Act, and other applicable laws pertaining to child pornography and sexual exploitation.
Counsel for the third petitioner, Dr. Venkatesh, informed the Court that he is a Deputy General Manager (Legal) in a private firm in Madurai, an academician, and a father of school-going children. On 1 February 2025, upon watching the teaser on YouTube, he was shocked and disgusted by the presence of what he perceived as child pornography. He filed immediate complaints with the National Cyber Crime Portal, Tamil Nadu Police, and the NCW. The first and second petitioners also undertook similar actions. The content, however, continues to be publicly available, constituting a continuing offence, the petitioners argued. They contended that the inaction of the authorities amounts to a violation of their fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Verdict
In an 11-page order dated July 17, Justice Dhanabal stated: “The main contention of the petitioners is that the teaser of the Tamil movie Bad Girl on YouTube contains obscene acts involving child pornography. The content reveals exploitation of children (shown as school students), depicting them in a sexual manner, thereby violating Indian laws that protect children from sexual offences and jeopardising the wellbeing of children and society at large.”
The judge noted that the petitioners had produced copies of the teaser, which indeed appeared to contain obscene acts capable of adversely influencing the minds of teenagers. Since the video was freely accessible on YouTube, the judge ruled that it posed a serious threat to minors.
Operative part of the judgement concerning “Bad Girl” movie teaser! pic.twitter.com/Luu5MW5Ovo
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) July 22, 2025
The Court ordered the first respondent to take necessary steps to remove the teaser and any associated obscene content from YouTube or any other location within one month from the date of the order. The NCPCR and NCW were also directed to monitor the issue and take appropriate action under existing laws to prevent child pornography.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y87Jp51PF-s
The judge further remarked: “Given the gravity of the issue, this Court need not wait for the YouTube platform to be impleaded as a party. The first respondent, being the competent authority, may issue notice to YouTube and take the necessary action. As for criminal prosecution, the particulars of the proposed accused have not yet been submitted; it is for the petitioners to approach the appropriate authorities by following due legal procedures.”
Nationalists welcoming the decision have stated that ridiculing the traditional Indian family system, polluting the minds of minors with sexual thoughts, then labelling it as individual rights, and promoting soft porn is the package anti-social elements are attempting to push through films. They asserted that this has been a deliberate agenda and design of market forces to destroy the youth and create a generation that has no respect for its own traditions and family values—all under the guise of individual freedom and rights.
