YouTube, Facebook among nine accused in Kerala’s first-ever cinema 'review bombing' case

Kochi: Amidst heated discussion among film makers and the public and ongoing legal action at the Kerala High Court over the effect of “review bombing” on prospects of new releases in Mollywood, the police registered the first case against online film reviewing on Wednesday (October 25).

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by the director of the 2023 movie 'Rahel Makan Kora'. There are nine accused in the case, including YouTube and Facebook.

Besides the two platforms, the list of accused includes the owner of a cinema promotion company and several Facebook and YouTube account holders who allegedly posted the negative reviews.

The police lodged an FIR on October 24 under Sections 385 (putting a person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC and section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act. Section 120(o) of the KP Act lays down the penalty for causing nuisance and violation of public order through any means of communication or causing a nuisance of himself to any person by repeated or undesirable or anonymous call, letter, writing, message, e-mail or through a messenger.

It provides a maximum punishment of one year imprisonment or a fine of upto Rs 5,000 or both.

The film, directed by Ubaini Ebahim, was released on October 13. However, some negative reviews surfaced on social media. Following this, the director filed a complaint against various YouTube channels and Facebook accounts. YouTube and Facebook are named the eighth and ninth accused in the case. According to the FIR, both of these global behemoths are accused of allowing the co-accused to commit illegal offences. 

Ubaini Ebahim told Mathrubhumi.com that some earned revenue by publishing negative reviews within an hour after the release of his movie. He pointed out that such acts are destroying the film industry. 

Meanwhile, the high court had asked the government to come up with ideas to curb 'review bombing’. The court stressed that every film is intellectual property, which entails the reputation, sweat, blood, and aspirations of many people, not only the producers, lead actors, or directors.

Review bombing is an intentional attempt by multiple online accounts to harm the sales or popularity of a product by posting negative user reviews.