The Indian Air Force (IAF) raised an objection to an incorrect portrayal of gender bias and its work culture in the Dharma Productions’ movie ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’, which was released on streaming platform Netflix on Wednesday.

The movie is based on Gunjan Saxena, who became the first woman IAF pilot to take part in the 1999 Kargil war.

IAF wrote a letter to Dharma Productions, Netflix, and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), stating, certain scenes and dialogues in the movie were found to portray the force in “an undue negative light”. “In the aim to glorify the screen character of ‘Ex-Fit Lt Gunjan Saxena’, M/s Dharma Productions presented some situations that are misleading and portray an inappropriate work culture especially against women in the IAF,” the letter, the contents of which were seen by HT, said. It added IAF has always ensured the organisation is gender neutral and has always provided equal opportunities to both women and men personnel.

IAF also provided a summary of objectionable and an incorrect presentation of gender bias scenes and dialogues. It added we already informed the production house about the objectionable portions of the movie and was advised to delete or modify them. “However, the production house has not deleted the scenes, but had proposed a media plan in the run-up to the release and inserting a disclaimer in the movie,” the letter said. It called the measures inadequate.

CBFC does not regulate platforms like Netflix even as the Union information and broadcasting ministry is working to prepare a regulatory framework. The Centre has been looking at self-regulatory mechanisms for such platforms.

According to a report, I&B ministry official said OTT platforms do not come under the purview of the ministry.

However, Dharma Productions and Netflix’s response is awaiting.

Last month, the defence ministry wrote a letter to CBFC drawing attention to movies and web series producers distorting the army’s image and advised they obtain no-objection certificates before airing their movies or shows.