A warning for Malayalam film industry

Malayalam film actor Mohanlal with actor and director Prithviraj Sukumaran during a press meet for his film ‘L2: Empuraan’ in New Delhi. , Photo Credit: PTI

TeaIt is the most popular word in Kerala this week, perhaps ‘voluntary cut’. The film’s makers are used in terms of many cuts, L2: EmpuranIt was forced to be taken out, the word shows that he voluntarily did so, to improve the film. It effectively hides the viral hate campaign and unseen pressures, which ended in the decision three days after the release of the film.

ImpuanDirected by Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal, begins in 2002 with a 15 -minute sequence of communal incite in India. While in the title sequences, images appear in the context of burning the coach of the coach carrying the coach carrying men, in which many Muslims have killed the crowd. Some sequences refer to the Bilkis Bano case in which 11 people were convicted for gang-intercourse and murder of several members of Ms. Bano’s family. The film reminds us of Pratipakshi Baba Bajrangi, Bajrang Dal leader Babar Bajrangi, who led the crowd, who was sentenced to life imprisonment to master the Naroda Patia massacre.

While independent cinema has always been clearly with its political comments, which is often ignored due to limited access to these films, by mainstream cinema, by design, rarely ruffles the wings. This week, however, some courageous scenes in an otherwise written commercial film shook the right wing. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala Unit, initially seen against distance from online hatred campaigns ImpuanSoon the tax changed, some of its leaders attacked the makers and even their family members. BJP Vice President of State, B. Gopalakrishnan said to filmmaker Supriya Menon, who is a ‘urban Naxal’, the spouse of Mr. Sukumaran. The President of The Rashtar Patswak Sangh, OrganizerPublished three articles against the film. One of them specifically targeted Sri Sukumaran, called him “anti-national voice”.

The entire controversy over references in the film for relatively recent events in India is playing at a time when Hindi film industry is busy churning films that advocate the concerns of the central government. For example, Story of Kerala The state was called out to discredit the state with false claims and disgusting references. But none of these films faced the scissors of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In contrast, many of them were provided tax cuts by BJP -led state governments and fled to theaters for weeks. Censorship and ban apply only to films that run counter for acceptable fiction. CBFC recently denied certification to internationally acclaimed film SatisfactionObjectioning his depiction of the barbarity of the police, caste discrimination and misunderstanding.

Mr. Mohanlal’s apology came in the form of disappointment for many people, especially because it came to the height of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the leader of the opposition VD Satheson expressed solidarity with the film and its producers. Mr. Vijayan’s party, The Communist Party of India (Marxist), is also given in the film. He gave a political statement after watching the film with his family and said that the anger of the Sangh Parivar is aroused by the fact that Impuan References “one of the most cruel massacres has ever seen”.

The tireless online hounding of the people associated with the film is to send a message to the entire Malayalam film industry, which are not fully to like those powers. One of the largest stars in the industry and apology to ‘voluntary cuts’ is bound to have a cool effect on other filmmakers and writers, who can resort to self-sensorship. Dar’s climate is also reflected in the silence of the rest of the film fraternity, including the film’s fraternity and stars, which are otherwise vocal about issues in the industry.

For an industry that has made hard-hitting movies Nirmalam And The Great Indian KitchenThis is a significant turn where the decisions taken can determine its future trajectory. If what can be painted, there is no United Push back against efforts to determine, we may soon see a assembly line of films that are in line with a colorless and unbroken vision of society.