Chalakudy, Kerala: A court here has ordered the makers of the 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, starring Mohanlal, to compensate a woman after her photograph was used in the movie without permission.

The complainant, Princy Francis, a lecturer at Asmabi College in Kodungallur, filed a petition against producer Antony Perumbavoor and director Priyadarshan. The Chalakudy Munsiff Court presided over by Judge M.S. Shiny, ruled in her favour, awarding ₹1 lakh as compensation and ₹1.68 lakh in legal expenses.

Francis alleged that her photo was taken from her blog without consent and used in a scene at the 29th minute of the film, appearing in a police crime file as an image of a brutally murdered woman. She claimed this unauthorized use caused her mental distress, prompting her to approach the court in 2017. The defendants denied the allegations.

Following the complaint, the court issued notices to Antony Perumbavoor, Priyadarshan, and assistant director Mohandas. Despite multiple requests to remove the image, it remained in the film.

Francis stated that she pursued the case as a matter of social responsibility and expressed confidence that ordinary women could seek justice through the legal system.