‘Bakasuran’ cautions kids about how a wrong video call can ruin their lives: Mohan G Kshatriyan

At a press conference held on Monday, 14 February, Mohan G Kshatriyan spoke in length about his forthcoming flick.

A poser of ‘Bakasuran’ Tamil film. (selvaraghavan/Twitter)

“I received a call from a journalist in Salem three days after the release of my last film Rudhra Thandavam. He said he wanted to talk to me in person. He took me to a home in Salem where a few college girls were placed under observation by the government authorities. I learnt that they took up online prostitution as a part-time profession,” he recalled.

Mohan said that the girls were being exploited by gangs that used mobile apps to facilitate online prostitution.

“This is a growing problem that’s affecting women mostly from the middle class. Girls were falling into the trap because of two reasons — poverty and the temptation to lead a luxurious life,” Mohan Kshatriyan pointed out.

How does it work?

The director also shared another incident that prompted him to make this issue the plot of his next film.

“During the Covid-19 lockdowns, one of my acquaintances stumbled across a mobile phone app that was facilitating virtual prostitution. The creators of the app were tempting individuals by sending lascivious clips or pictures of women,” he added.

A UPI ID is sent to the people who download the app. They are asked to make payments to seek sexual favours over a private call.

“When we decided to investigate this further, we found out that hundreds of such apps are available in the market already!”

Bakasuran from 17 th pic.twitter.com/Cy66wUDjiL

— selvaraghavan (@selvaraghavan) February 14, 2023

‘Beware!’

Expressing concern that such apps are reaching people in the age group of 20 years faster, the director warned parents to be aware of what their wards are doing. “Don’t be under the impression that mobile phones are being used by youngsters for good purposes,” he cautioned.

Most youngsters use it for the right purposes. However, there are some who, either due to their playful nature or due to temptation, download such apps and begin to use them.

“Their mistake proves costly and leads them to destruction with many going on to attempt even suicide,” Mohan Kshatriyan added.

#பகாசூரன் #Bakasuran is on the way.. 4 more days.. Worldwide release on February 17th..#BakasuranFromFeb17 pic.twitter.com/5PXP9RLzFK

— N.Nataraja Subramani (@natty_nataraj) February 13, 2023

‘Did my research’

Known for his thorough research on a topic before developing it into a plot, the director did extensive research on virtual prostitution, too.

Selvaraghavan in a still from Mohan Kshatriyan’s ‘Bakasuran’. (Supplied)

“We even planned a sting operation with the help of the police and managed to trap people who were indulging in such activity. However, there is no harsh punishment for them. The only way left is to create awareness about this crime in society,” he informed.

The director said he wanted to show, through his movie Bakasuran, parents and children how a single wrong video call can ruin their lives.

The film, which has music by Sam CS, is scheduled to hit screens on 17 February.