Kozhikode: Following the controversy surrounding the film Empuraan, its lead actor Mohanlal expressed regret, which has drawn criticism from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Working President T. Siddique.
Siddique took to social media, questioning Mohanlal’s stance in response to the actor’s post of apology. He raised concerns over the selective removal of scenes, particularly those criticising the Sangh Parivar, while pointing out the hypocrisy in not eliminating parts that criticise the Congress and the CPM.
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"Will the scenes criticising the Congress and CPM also be cut, just as those targeting the Sangh Parivar are being removed? No, right? If you start cutting like that, the three-hour film will turn into a three-minute reel," Siddique wrote.
The film’s producers apparently approached the Censor Board following criticism from the RSS and other Sangh Parivar organisations. They reportedly sought approval to remove around 17 scenes, a claim confirmed by Mohanlal in a Facebook post.
Asserting his neutral stance, Mohanlal wrote, "As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that any of my films do not harbour hostility towards any political movement, ideology, or religious community. Therefore, I sincerely regret the distress caused to my beloved fans, and we, as the Empuraan team, collectively decided to remove such content from the film, recognising our responsibility in this matter."
Meanwhile, Kerala PCC President K. Sudhakaran expressed solidarity with the film’s creators and the crew, backing them amid the backlash. In a Facebook post following Mohanlal’s apology, Sudhakaran stated, "The KPCC stands in unity with the creators of Empuraan, who have showcased the brutalities committed by Hindu extremists during the Gujarat riots, an act of deep humiliation for the Hindu community in India."
The controversy continues to stir debate over artistic freedom and the influence of political sensitivities in cinema.
Published: 31 Mar 2025, 08:41 am IST
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