Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam film icon Mohanlal shared his regret on Sunday regarding the upset caused by the political and social themes in his latest film, Empuraan. His comments come after the film faced criticism for allegedly depicting the 2002 Gujarat riots, prompting the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ask for 17 modifications.
In a Facebook post, Mohanlal stated, "As an artist, it is my responsibility to make sure that my films do not promote hostility towards any political movement, ideology, or religious group. I have realized that some of the themes in Empuraan have upset many of my supporters, and we have collectively decided to remove those themes from the film."
Despite the backlash, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress Leader VD Satheesan stood up for Empuraan, criticizing what they described as attempts by the Sangh Parivar to pressure changes to the cinematic work.
Empuraan, which debuted worldwide on March 27 and has already grossed over ₹100 crore, has come under fire from BJP and RSS affiliates in Kerala. An article from an RSS-linked publication claimed that certain scenes were deliberately crafted to cast Hindus as the main aggressors during the 2002 riots.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP’s president in Kerala, announced he would not watch the film anymore. "Initially, I planned to see Empuraan as it is a sequel to Lucifer. However, with the news of 17 changes being made and the movie going through re-censorship, I have reconsidered. I understand that certain elements in the film have disturbed fans and other viewers," he posted on social media.
"It is important to view a movie as an art form, not as a historical document. Films that twist the truth for storytelling purposes are destined to fail. So, will I watch this sequel to Lucifer? No. Am I disappointed? Yes."
Nonetheless, CM Pinarayi Vijayan expressed praise for the film after watching it, despite the ongoing hate campaigns against it. "I viewed it amidst significant backlash from communal groups. The movie addresses one of the most brutal genocides in our country. These groups are issuing threats, which is not a sign of a democratic society. Artists should not face attacks for showcasing historical truths," he said.
VD Satheesan of Congress voiced similar concerns, suggesting that the attempts to alter the film represent an attack on artistic freedom. "These actions signal deep-seated fear and inadequacy. Historical truths cannot be hidden," he remarked.
