Amid the ongoing debate surrounding the Malayalam political thriller Empuraan, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal on Saturday underscored the importance of freedom of expression in cinema. Just hours after the film’s release, netizens began speculating about references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, with Congress supporters hailing it as a movie that “exposed Sangh Parivar agendas.”

As the fastest-growing Malayalam film to enter the Rs 100 crore club globally, Empuraan has also sparked significant political tension. Venugopal emphasized that films are a legitimate platform to discuss current political realities, regardless of whether they support or criticize political parties. “There were films like The Accidental Prime Minister and Emergency, which insulted individuals, yet the BJP welcomed those movies. I am not here to comment on the content of Empuraan,” said Venugopal, acknowledging reports that the movie includes criticism of the Congress despite not having watched it.

The film, headlined by the actor-director duo Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal, has faced accusations from Hindutva groups of maligning their ideology and allegedly pandering to “anti-national elements.” However, when some called for a boycott of the film, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar extended support in a Facebook post: “Best wishes, Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and team! Looking forward to watching and enjoying #L2E #Empuraan one of these days!”

Following a core committee meeting on Friday, BJP state secretary P. Sudheer clarified that the party would not initiate any campaign against Empuraan. He emphasized that cinema should be viewed as entertainment, allowing individuals to form their own opinions. “The party does not oppose any film,” he stated.

While RV Babu, president of Kerala Hindu Aikya Vedi, criticized the film for allegedly failing to recognise the sensitivity of the 2002 Gujarat Riots as a consequence of Godhra, the BJP state president’s remarks remain final.

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