Kerala High Court Refuses to Ban Controversial Film ‘Empuraan’ Amidst Legal Plea
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking to ban the screening of the controversial film Empuraan, the sequel to the hit movie Lucifer. The Court, while rejecting the petition, questioned the credibility of the petitioner’s concerns, highlighting that the film had already been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
In a sharp exchange, the Court asked the petitioner, “Have you watched the movie Empuraan? What is your objection? It was certified by the censor board, right? I am suspecting your bona fide. Show me one complaint on incitement of violence due to this movie. These are all publicity-oriented petitions.”
The Court further noted the arguments made by the State lawyer, who drew attention to a previous judgment (Sebin Thomas v. Union of India & Ors), emphasizing that once a movie has been certified by statutory authorities like the CBFC, it is presumed to be suitable for public exhibition. The State lawyer also highlighted that no crimes had been reported in relation to the film as of that moment.
As per the Court’s order, the petitioner’s request for interim relief was denied, and the matter will be heard after the Court’s vacation.
The film Empuraan has been embroiled in controversy due to certain scenes that allude to the 2002 Godhra riots and the perceived portrayal of the primary antagonist as resembling a Bajrang Dal leader. The film has faced backlash for these perceived political and social references. Additionally, the petitioner, Vijeesh, claimed that the movie made inappropriate remarks about the Ministry of Defence and undermined the credibility of central investigation agencies.
In response to the controversy, one of the producers of Empuraan, Antony Perumbavoor, announced that the movie team had decided to re-edit the film with 24 cuts. The revised version of the film is expected to be released worldwide starting Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the BJP took action against Vijeesh, suspending him from the party for his involvement in the legal petition.
Despite the controversy surrounding Empuraan, the film’s team remains confident that the film will continue to be showcased as per the CBFC’s certification.
