'Parottem beefum njan thinnum athikaalathu '– I will eat parotta and beef early in the morning, sings Neeraj Madhav, actor and rap singer, in Malayalam. It’s towards the end of 'Namma Stories', a collaboration of musicians from the five states of south India, presented by Netflix. Problem is, Netflix’s subtitles for Neeraj's line says: 'I’ll eat BDF and parotta for breakfast.' 'BDF' is the term used for a favourite beef dish of Malayalis – Beef Dry Fry. But netizens have taken offence to Netflix reducing ‘beef’ to BDF, especially with how beef has been politicised in many right-wing ruled states in India.
Malayali writer NS Madhavan advised Netflix to learn the spelling of beef. He writes, “Podey @NetflixIndia, before you try to appropriate Malayalam with tharikida dialogues, learn the spelling of beef. It is B-E-E-F. Don’t come here with sanghiphobia (sic).”
Podey @NetflixIndia, before you try to appropriate Malayalam with tharikida dialogues, learn the spelling of beef. It is B-E-E-F. Don’t come here with sanghiphobia. pic.twitter.com/YgyNK5EGkB
— N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) July 8, 2021
The song that Netflix describes as “a celebration of stories from the south and its new home on Twitter” (Netflix’s India South handle) is performed by NJ aka Neeraj Madhav, Arivu, SIRI and Hanumankind, mixed and mastered by Devang Rachh.
Twitter user The Saudade Guy simply stated the obvious: “Hey @Netflix_INSouth, the song is all cool, but the fact that you couldn't say beef in the subtitles is not so South.”
Hey @Netflix_INSouth, the song is all cool, but the fact that you couldn't say beef in the subtitles is not so South. pic.twitter.com/iYHWczQB8P
— The Saudade Guy (@thesaudadeguy) July 8, 2021
Another user Anton Kalashnikov wrote, "To all those folks wondering what BDF stands for in the new Netflix South Anthem—it's Beef Dry Fry. Irony is that even in a song that celebrates South's 'unity in diversity,' Netflix couldn't muster up the courage to name something almost all Malayalis relish. Spineless."
To all those folks wondering what BDF stands for in the new Netflix South Anthem—it's Beef Dry Fry. Irony is that even in a song that celebrates South's 'unity in diversity,' Netflix couldn't muster up the courage to name something almost all Malayalis relish. Spineless. pic.twitter.com/rA2QyJveLH
— Аnton Kalashnikov (@AKalashnikov05) July 8, 2021
The music is composed and produced by Kartik Shah. The video is produced by Supari Studios, and directed by Akshay Sundher. Its cinematographer is Raghav Adhithya.
Hi @Netflix_INSouth! The song is a cracker festival, but you not so South if you can't say beef in the subtitles!#NetflixIndia #netflixandchill #WhatTheBeef pic.twitter.com/WSzJgBArjf
— Smitha T K (@smitha_tk) July 9, 2021
Netflix South should respect our sensitivity. We DON’T take kindly to censorship, especially of Beef. @Netflix_INSouth, say it loud and clear in subtitles—porotta and beef https://t.co/hF5tpDPm56
— Charmy Harikrishnan ചാമി ഹരികൃഷ്ണൻ (@charmyh) July 9, 2021
BDF - Banana Dry Fry or what? ♂️
— Vivek (@sonder_being) July 8, 2021
Smart move, nanba, Netflix. #Subtitles #Beef https://t.co/jwz9ki7rbj pic.twitter.com/Pgn78ULabw
its not BDF its BEEF
— ദ_അനോണി_മൗസ് (@anony_m_s) July 8, 2021
scary to give the real translation?? pic.twitter.com/ZKUuiUo0ys
Exactly. Periya Netflix cool, progressive and producing fearless content but can’t bring itself to say beef. Lolll. https://t.co/ZfokFAUeBU
— swooosh (@sultankibeti) July 9, 2021
Watch: Namma Stories