Kerala High Court slams BJP leader's plea against Empuraan; refuses interim relief, early hearing

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday said refused to grant any interim relief to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader VV Vijeesh in his plea seeking an immediate ban on the Malayalam film Empuraan: L2. [VV Vijeesh v The Secretary & ors].Justice CS Dias also doubted the petitioner's bonafides and said that the plea seemed to be a publicity oriented move."Have you watched this movie Empuraan? What is your objection? It was certified by censor board right?...I am suspecting your bona fide. Show me one complaint on incitement of violence due to this movie. Show me an FIR registered by police. These are all publicity oriented petitions, nothing else," the Court said.It also noted the State lawyer's argument that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has already cleared the movie for exhibition.In light of the above, the Court declined to list the matter on priority and also refused any interim relief. The matter will be heard after the summer holidays of the court. "Learned State Attorney draws attention to judgment in Sebin Thomas v. Union of India & Ors. to drive home the contention that once certification has been issued by statutory authorities, there is a presumption the movie is fit for certification. He also submitted that as of today, no crime has been registered by State police. In light of this submissions, the petitioner's prayer for interim relief is declined. Matter to be heard after Kerala High Court vacation," the Court said in its order..The Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) took notice for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the State Attorney for the Director General of Police.The, Court, however, dispensed with notice for the party respondents including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, and other producers associated with the movie. .Empuran, which is the sequel to the movie Lucifer, has drawn controversy over scenes alluding to 2002 Godhra riots and the similarities between the primary antagonist and a Bajrang Dal leader.As per the plea by Vijeesh, the film contains scenes that refer to the 2002 Godhra riots and make unwarranted remarks about India's Ministry of Defence, apart from portraying central investigation agencies in a manner that undermines their credibility and integrity.The movie could provoke communal unrest, the plea added, while seeking directions to immediately halt further exhibition of the film to prevent further controversy and avert any potential communal unrest..Empuraan stars actor Mohanlal and has been directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, who also plays a prominent role in the film. The film is sequel to the 2019 film, Lucifer, where Mohanlal played the titular role. The filmmakers, including its writer Murali Gopy and producer Anthony Perubmavoor (who also played a minor role in the film), have come under fire after right wing commentators alleged that the film's references to the Godhra riots was incomplete.The filmmakers later agreed to voluntarily make cuts to the film, which are expected to take effect in movie screenings this week. Mohanlal also issued a public apology and said that controversial subjects "would be removed from the film." He apologised to his fans as well "for the distress caused.".[Read Order]