Kochi: Actor and interim chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Prem Kumar had called for censorship in television serials, stating that some Malayalam serials are as dangerous to society as Endosulfan. He emphasized that cinema, serials, and web series have a significant impact on large audiences, and if misused, they can lead an entire society to degradation. Prem Kumar shared these thoughts while speaking to the media in Kochi on Tuesday.

However, he clarified that his remarks were not a blanket criticism of all serials. "I am someone who advocates for creative freedom without boundaries. Cinema has censorship, but television serials do not. There are practical challenges in this regard. Industry professionals say that what is shot on the same day is often aired on the same day, leaving no time for censorship," he explained.

"Television serials reach family audiences. Children growing up with such visuals may come to believe that this is what life and human relationships are like. I am sharing my concern about the generation that might develop such a perception. Those involved in the arts must bear this responsibility," Prem Kumar added.

In response to Prem Kumar’s statements, actors like Hareesh Peradi and Dharmajan Bolgatty took to their facebook to criticize the film academy chairman. Hareesh took to Facebook, stating that the life Prem Kumar leads is more dangerous than Endosulfan.

Full facebook post: 

"Mr.Premkumar... This life you are living is more deadly than endosulfan... It is from that deadly life that the writers and directors of the mega serial choose their stories... I can clarify the story of a mega serial that may happen tomorrow with example... The hero of the story is a vice chairman who endured everything under the chairman of the government academy who often justified him.. He is facing objections from his own family to the serial organization he is a member. Yet he continues to succeed there, becomes the chairman of that government academy and rejects all the poor members who find a life for the daily work of that serial organization of which he himself is a member.

If a serial like this comes, the hero of that story is more dangerous than endosulfan as you said... But the serial that points out that poison as the hero and its creators will be filled with people as protest fighters fighting against endosulfan through that megaserial.. A suitable name for this serial is ‘The Deluge After Me (Ennikk shesham pralayam)’"."

On the other hand Dharmajan Bolgatty stated that Prem Kumar rose to fame through serials and that being given a position doesn’t mean he can criticize others. “I myself have written three mega serials, and I take pride in that. Prem Kumar, who called serials as harmful as Endosulfan, is someone who gained recognition through serials. Just because he got a position doesn’t mean he has grown horns. Let the poor survive, brother,” Dharmajan wrote on Facebook.

Earlier, the Women’s Commission had also submitted a report to the government recommending censorship for serials. The commission suggested replacing mega serials with shows of 20-30 episodes and limiting each channel to airing only two serials per day. Following this, the Film Academy Chairman has now echoed similar concerns.