Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring Mohanlal, Emmpuraan was released on March 27 and has been at the centre of criticism for the Pro-Hindutva group. Several BJP workers have expressed opposition to the film on social media, accusing it of offensive content. Criticism has also expanded to the Central Cinema Certification Commission (CBFC) and is concerned about whether its RSS affiliates have fully fulfilled their duties before reviewing the film before it is released.
After a widespread protest, the film’s producers chose to introduce 17 editors, including mute certain conversations. The revised version of the film is scheduled to be re-released on Wednesday.
The controversy deepened after the organizer of the organizer (RSS affiliated publication), publicly criticizing the film’s description of right-wing ideology. In response, some left-wing leaders opposed the demands for censorship of films. Education Minister V. Sivankutty questioned the selective application of censorship, comparing it with the Kerala story, and the film did not face the cuts caused by CBFC, despite allegedly portraying the state from a negative perspective.
Sivankutty said: “Why are Kerala’s stories allowed to be released without any changes? The riots in Gujarat and the Godra incident are part of Indian history, why do I need to check for Empuraan when I release Kerala’s stories.”
As debates on artistic freedom and political narrative continue, Empuraan remains the focus of ideological conflict, with its revised version set to be released on Wednesday.
