Mallika Sukumaran | Row Over Empuraan: Political Pressure Or Proxy Censorship?
A cinematic storm is brewing as the makers of "Empuraan" cave to pressure, announcing voluntary cuts to the film amidst a maelstrom of criticism. The movie's depiction of sensitive historical events has ignited a fierce debate, with the BJP and RSS launching a scathing attack on the film's alleged anti-Hindu narrative. Meanwhile, the Kerala CM and Congress have rallied to its defense. Actor Mohanlal has attempted to douse the flames with a public apology, acknowledging the responsibility of artists to avoid inciting hatred. But the criticism continues to pour in, with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai branding the film 'propaganda'. At the eye of the storm is a contentious reference to the Godhra riots, sparking a national conversation on creative freedom, historical accuracy, and the boundaries of artistic expression. But the big question is, is it political pressure or proxy censorship?
