While a few claim the controversies are marketing techniques, it is pertinent to look at the genuine issues that caused the uproar.
Published Apr 06, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 06, 2025 | 11:44 AM
Recent controversies of Malayalam cinema. (X)
Malayalam cinema has been the talk of the town for both good and bad reasons. While it was appreciated for content-driven films like Aattam, Kaathal — The Core, and Manjummel Boys, films such as Marco, Narayaneente Monnanmakkal, and the new entrant Empuraan have courted controversy for various reasons.
While a few claim the controversies are marketing techniques, it is pertinent to look at the genuine issues that caused the uproar.
Mohanlal-Prithviraj Sukumaran’s big-budget film Empuraan has sparked controversy in Kerala and beyond for allegedly addressing politically sensitive themes related to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
After facing political backlash, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mohanlal, and writer Murali Gopy made voluntary edits to the film, trimming two minutes and cutting 24 scenes. These changes included removing references to the riots, and religious symbols, muting the names of central agencies like NIA, and changing the character name from Bajrangi to Balraj. These adjustments came in response to criticism from right-wing political parties and their fringe supporters.
Ironically, this boycott call boosted the movie’s success, leading to a surge in theatre attendance. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala showed strong support for the film, which has now grossed over ₹250 crore.
Meanwhile, the Kerala BJP leaders stated they didn’t demand any cuts to the movie. However, BJP Kerala Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar initially said he would watch the film but later reversed his decision, citing Mohanlal’s “regret” statement on social media. Actor and BJP leader Suresh Gopi requested that his name be removed from the thanks card, accusing the producers of profiting from the controversy.
A poster of the film ‘Empuraan’. (X)
The movie’s makers faced attacks on social media, including from the RSS. Its mouthpiece, Organiser, targeted Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mohanlal, and Murali Gopy, calling Prithviraj a traitor and accusing the film of attempting to polarise society. The article even sought support from Christians, claiming the movie defamed their religion.
Yuva Morcha has made strange claims, saying Prithviraj Sukumaran has ties to the Islamic State. According to their Kerala state leader, Prithviraj, who traveled to Jordan for the Aadujeevitham shoot, allegedly developed connections with the group. Prithviraj has been a target of right-wing groups due to his outspoken opposition to issues like the CAA and the Lakshadweep controversy.
Despite the protests against the movie, Prithviraj hasn’t directly commented on the situation. However, his mother, actress Mallika Sukumaran, defended him in a Facebook post and media interview, criticising the targeting of her son. She also accused Director Major Ravi of trying to protect Mohanlal while leaving Prithviraj in a difficult position.
Antony Perumbavoor, one of the film’s producers, stated there was no external pressure to edit the movie. He explained that the cuts were made to avoid hurting people’s feelings, as they didn’t want to cause harm in society. Antony also clarified that Prithviraj wasn’t alienated by anyone.
Interestingly, Murali Gopy, the film’s writer, has remained silent on the controversy, earning praise for his bold stance.
‘Marco’ cleared censor with A certificate. (X)
Unni Mukundan’s Marco — a massive hit, grossing ₹100 crore also was caught up in a controversy.
The movie was aggressively marketed and promoted as the most violent film in Malayalam. The action-packed movie attracted a youth audience, though critics argued it could negatively influence youngsters.
Theatres faced challenges with parents bringing children to the movie. A Kochi-based exhibitor speaking with South First mentioned the difficulty in explaining the movie’s rating to customers who had booked tickets. Additionally, many teenagers under 18 were unable to watch the R-rated film due to age restrictions.
While the film is available online, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) later banned Marco from television screening due to its extreme violence. CBFC’s Regional Officer, Nadeem Thufail, also requested the Centre intervene to remove the film from OTT platforms.
Following the controversy, the producer stated he would avoid making violence-heavy films in the future. For his next project, Kaattalan, he instructed writers to exclude violent scenes.
On social media, many viewers criticised the movie’s excessive violence. However, some film enthusiasts argue that censorship limits filmmakers’ creativity.
A still from the film ‘Narayaneente Monnanmakkal’. (X)
When Narayaneente Monnanmakkal was released, it didn’t spark controversy as it had a limited audience. The film is an emotional family drama, telling a genuine story without exaggeration. The performances and storyline are its key highlights. Starring Joju George, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Alencier as three brothers, the movie explores their relationship.
It also presents a progressive take on modern relationships, openly addressing societal realities.
There was a lot of uproar after the OTT premiere of Narayaneente Monnanmakkal, as the movie explores a love relationship between two cousins. Director Sharan Venugopal didn’t shy away from writing a script that included intimate scenes between them. This has raised concerns among conservative groups and right-wing supporters in Kerala, who have voiced their moral objections on social media.
In an interview with South First, Sharan Venugopal admitted that he knew people would be uncomfortable with the scenes, and that was his intention. He explained that it was an essential part of the story and not added for shock value. After writing it, he felt no need for self-censorship.
Sharan shared that while many viewers accepted the scenes, he also received feedback from some who felt uncomfortable. He was surprised to learn that viewers had shared similar experiences with him after watching the movie.
Sharan emphasized that uncomfortable situations are part of everyone’s life, and portraying them on screen is a challenge. “A filmmaker should be willing to accept this challenge,” he said.
Movies such as Aattam, Kaathal, Bramayugam, Manjummel Boys, Premalu, and Ullozhukku had a good reception in Kerala, while many alleged propaganda films such as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story faced protests too.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
