The Kerala High Court has refused to pass an interim order to ban the screening of the film L2: Empuran In theaters.
VV Vijesh, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Thrissur District Committee, contacted the court demanding a instruction for the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ban the screening of the film in theaters, citing the need to maintain public peace and harmony.
Refusing to pass any interim order, the court expressed doubts about the petitioner and called the petition a publicity interest litigation. The court asked Mr. Vijesh if he had seen the film and whether it was not certified by the censor board before its release. The court inquired whether the police had filed an FIR regarding any violence on the basis of the film.
No case is registered
The government informed the court that no case was registered till date regarding the release of the film. The court then said that the petitioner was referring to it.
It also issued notices to the union and state governments and directed them to record the statements, if any. The court further stated that actor Mohanlal and Director Prithviraj and other respondents with notice.
Mr. Vijesh alleged that the film released on March 27 had a ‘unnecessary reference’ for the 2002 Godra communal riots, was an incredible comment about the Ministry of Defense, and also showed the central investigative agencies in such a way that they reduced their credibility and integrity. In addition, the actor and film director Prithviraj was constantly targeting the NDA government in his films to tarnish his reputation, he said in the petition.
In addition, the film’s producers Antony Perumbwur and M Gopalan are already facing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) about “unauthorized foreign funds”. The film portrayed the ED in a way that reduced its credibility and integrity.
Marketing agenda
The film, which is released to Pan India, exploited the sentiments of the Hindu community as a marketing strategy, to maximize their profits, the petition said that amid the growing backlash, actor Mohanlal issued a public apology on social media, which admitted that some aspects of the film caused ‘discomfort’. The Act also appeared to be a strategic marketing agenda by the film’s makers, Mr. Vijesh said in his petition, and demanded a police inquiry further whether there was a conspiracy by anyone to incite communal riots.
The case has been posted for hearing after summer vacation.
Published – 01 April, 2025 07:27 pm IST
