Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict In Plea To Stall Release Of Movie Allegedly Inspired By Venjaramoodu Murder Case

The Kerala High Court on Monday (March 30) reserved its verdict in the plea seeking to stall the release of the film 'Kaalam Paranja Kadha', which is allegedly inspired by the Venjaramoodu mass murder case, the trial of which is pending before the Sessions Court.The plea was preferred by the father of the accused, who stated that the movie may prejudice the trial in the case, which is still pending before the Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram.When the matter came up for consideration before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, it was informed that the film was granted a U/A 16+ certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after it was reviewed by the Revising Committee.The petitioner's counsel submitted before the Court that the CBFC has not applied its mind while granting the certification as the certification was granted subject to certain modifications like muting of a swear word, adding disclaimers, etc. He told that the petitioner's grievance remained unaddressed even after the CBFC certification."This is not a matter of artistic freedom, it is a work with a malicious intent...Nowhere the Board considered whether the film is on pending criminal case or whether the real persons can be identified. Or whether it affects or prejudices the trial. There is total silence of that matter...The Board treated it like an ordinary commercial film that is dealing with drug abuse and violence. And there is a clear absence of application of mind by the Censor Board...My issue is that is it capable of identifying the petitioner or the family and the Board is completely silent on that matter. There is no finding that there is resemblance. There is no finding that there is an identification," the petitioner's counsel submitted before Court.The counsel also pointed out that during an earlier hearing, one of the counsels for the CBFC had told that movie 'Kaalam Paranja Kadha' may have been inspired by the Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case. He then told that such a thought would arise in the mind of the public as well and would lead to identification of the family of the accused.The petitioner's counsel submitted that he is limiting his prayer for a stay on release of the film till the completion of the trial.The filmmaker's counsel, on the other hand, opposed the plea and submitted that the the Revising Committee of the CBFC watched the movie and granted a U/A 16+ Certification after applying its mind and recommended actions, including muting words in the film. It was further contended that the producer of the film is a retired headmaster and a social worker. He told that the produced has released 10 telefilms before and has been releasing a monthly publication “Nadakashala Magazine” to be delivered to public free of cost apart from other activities.After hearing the parties, the Court reserved its verdict.The plea is moved by Advocates Sajju V. and Ajmal A.Case No: WP(C) No. 3872/2026Case Title: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors.

Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict In Plea To Stall Release Of Movie Allegedly Inspired By Venjaramoodu Murder Case

K. Salma Jennath

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