Amid a huge row over alleged anti-Hindutva content in the latest Malayalam film ‘L2: Empuraan’, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended support to the Mohanlal starrer film. He said Sangh Parivar’s hate campaign against the film and its makers was concerning. Vijayan watched the film along with his family on Saturday.
Backing the filmmakers, Vijayan said he decided to watch the film against the backdrop of a widespread hate campaign against the film. In a Facebook post in Malayalam, Vijayan said, “I watched the movie at a time when widespread hate campaigns were being unleashed by Sangh Parivar communal forces against the film, its actors, and its crew. What seems to have infuriated the architects of the Sangh Parivar is the film’s reference to one of the most brutal genocides the country has witnessed. Not only the cadres but even leaders of the BJP and RSS have openly issued threats.”
“Reports have even emerged that, under pressure, the filmmakers are being forced to resubmit the film for re-censorship and make cuts. This atmosphere of fear created by the Sangh Parivar is deeply concerning,” the Kerala chief minister said. The Communist leader said it is not good for democracy that a work of art is being targeted for taking a stand against communalism.
Vijayan charged calls to ban a work of art are “ fresh manifestations of a fascist mindset”. “This is a violation of democratic rights. The right to create films, to watch them, to enjoy them, to evaluate them, to agree or disagree with them—these rights must not be lost. For that, the united voice of this land, rooted in democratic and secular values, must rise,” the chief minister said.
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Vijayan solidarity for the film comes at a time when actor Mohanlal has expressed regret for objectionable content in the film. In a social media post, Mohanlal said “it is his duty to ensure that a film of his isn't showing hatred towards an ideology, or a political or religious institution”. On Sunday, Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who had earlier backed the film, said he wouldn’t watch the film and he is disappointed by this type of moviemaking.
