ActorManoj Bajpayee has returned as Shrikant Tiwari on "The Family Man 2",and he is getting a good response for the role again. The series faced however,faced the ire of certain sections before release, over allegations that itdepicted Tamils in an "objectionable manner". The actor feels theseries has worked, and that proves people know the story isn't about hurtingsentiments.
"Weas a team -- our directors, writers -- are very sentimental to each and everyperson and state. We are sensitive to the culture. We would never do anythingto offend anyone. Even in the first season, and in this season of 'The FamilyMan', we don't talk about politics. We put the characters there and we look atthose characters in a humanised way. All those characters are heroes of theirown story. Now, the show is there right in front of you. I know you are liking itbecause somewhere you feel that the show is not at all what you wereapprehensive about. It is talking about you and your sentiment in a veryrespectful manner with all the love," Bajpayee said.
Controversyerupted when Tamil Nadu Minister for Information Technology, Mano Thangaraj,had written a letter to the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting,Prakash Javedkar, on May 24, calling for a ban of the web series.
Inhis letter, Thangaraj said that "the series had depicted the Eelam Tamils ina highly objectionable manner and that if allowed to stream it would beprejudicial to the maintenance of harmony in the state".
"TheFamily Man 2" has Samantha Akkineni in her debut Hindi role, as a SriLankan Tamil suicide bomber named Raji, and also brings back Priyamani, SharibHashmi and Sharad Kelkar in familiar roles.
Onpre-release expectations, Bajpayee said: "You don't expect the extent ofresponse. You are confident that people will like it but to what extent theywill like it is unpredictable. It has taken us by surprise and we areoverwhelmed with the response. The show is going to be there forever and I haveread that many people are watching it a second time. It is not only flatteringbut it makes you feel so indebted and grateful."
Theseries created by Raj and DK streams on Amazon Prime Video.