Kerala CM defends 'Empuraan', slams BJP for targeting film

Madurai: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, speaking at the closing ceremony of the CPIM’s 24th party congress on Sunday, commented on the Malayalam film 'Empuraan', criticising the BJP for attacking the film despite it not being political in nature.

“Cinema is an industry where thousands of people work. It is rare for a film to become a big financial success,” said the Chief Minister.

He added that criticism directed at a film inevitably affects all those involved in its making.

“When a film is criticised, naturally the people who worked behind it are affected too.”

The Chief Minister pointed out that the movie had been approved by the censor board, which also includes members from the Sangh Parivar.

“This is a film approved by a censor board that also includes Sangh Parivar members. They are trying to destroy this film by making unnecessary allegations.”

He also noted that the removal of any part from a film has an impact on the entire work.

“When parts are removed, the film is affected as a whole,” he said.

Pinarayi Vijayan warned against the growing trend of communal authoritarianism, saying it had crossed all limits.

“The communal authoritarian trend is crossing the limits,” he said.

He also commented on the current political climate, claiming that divisive politics was dominating the country. “Divisive politics is prevailing in India.”

The Chief Minister went on to accuse the BJP and RSS of using the Waqf as a political weapon. He also touched upon the ongoing unrest in Manipur and said that Kerala and Tamil Nadu were united in opposing the central government’s negligence.