A writ petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking to stop the screening of the Malayalam film 'Empuraan'. The petition was submitted by V. V. Vijesh, a BJP Thrissur District Committee member, who raised objections over the depiction of the post-Godhra communal riots in the movie. According to him, the film carries the potential to incite communal violence and disturb public order.
The high-budget film, featuring Mohanlal in the lead role, has been at the center of controversy following objections from certain right-wing groups. The primary issue raised concerns the portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots. In response to the growing criticism, Mohanlal publicly expressed regret through a Facebook post and assured that the contentious scenes would be removed. Reports suggest that the film has been re-edited accordingly.
Despite this, the petitioner has dismissed Mohanlal's statement as a mere marketing tactic aimed at increasing public interest in the movie.
Allegations Raised in the Petition
The petitioner further stated that certain dialogues and scenes in the movie could negatively impact the credibility and integrity of the Ministry of Defence.
"Since the film's release, multiple rumors and controversies have emerged, and its continued screening poses a potential risk of inciting communal violence and disturbing public order," the petition claimed.
Additionally, the petition accused the movie's director, Prithviraj, of deliberately targeting the NDA government in his films with the intent to tarnish its reputation.
Legal and Financial Concerns
The petition also highlighted concerns regarding the producers of the film, Antony Perumbavoor and Gokulam Gopalan. It alleged that both individuals are currently under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for foreign funding irregularities.
The case has been moved in court by Advocate K. P. Prasanth, who is representing the petitioner.
With the legal proceedings now in motion, all eyes are on the Kerala High Court’s decision regarding the future of 'Empuraan'. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the film industry and censorship regulations in India.
Case Title: V. V. Vijesh v The Secretary and Others
Case No: WP(C) 13500/ 2025
