'Every Movie May Be Inspired By Some Real Story': Kerala HC Remarks In Plea To Stall Film Allegedly Based On Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (February 5) orally asked how the movie Kaalam Paranja Kadha was defamatory to the family of the accused in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case when every movie is inspired by some real incident or story. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering a plea 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, the petitioner's counsel told that even the trailer of the movie was defamatory and that the director of the movie in a video had said that the case inspired the movie. On hearing the submission, the Court orally asked:"How does it amount to defamation? Defamation has got certain exceptions. The exceptions will include truth, exceptions will include justification by truth, exceptions will include for the public good, exceptions will include various factors. 8 or 9 exceptions are there...Every movie maybe inspired by some real incident or a story."Justice Bechu then orally told that he would watch the trailer over the weekend. The petitioner's counsel then referred to a social media post and an online article referring to the movie and told the Court that a John Doe injunction is sought against all persons from making available any movie, documentary, web series, visual, audio or digital content which directly or indirectly portrays, depicts or is inspired by the case."What is the connection with this movie? That has got nothing to with the movie. The John Doe injunction you are seeking for is against the general publication in all social media...That is not with regard to the movie. How can I prevent that?," the Court responded.The counsel representing the Union and the Central Board of Film Certification submitted before the Court that though the film has been given certification, the screening of the same is not yet done. It was told that the film would not be released tomorrow.The petitioner's counsel sought permission to watch the movie. However, the Court said that could be done only if the Court also decides to watch the movie but indicated that if needed, it can be done.On Tuesday, the Court had issued notice to the party respondents by special messenger. The counsel for the filmmakers appeared today and submitted that a detailed counter would be filed in the case.The case was then posted to Tuesday (February 10) for further consideration.BackgroundThe Venjaramoodu Mass Murder case relates to the alleged murder of five family members of Afan and the attempted murder of his mother. Afan is arrayed as the sole accused in the case pending before the Principal Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram. The case has received a lot of media attention.According to the plea, the afore movie's storyline is directly inspired by the case, the trial of which is not yet complete. It is further stated that since the announcement of the movie, several posts were made on social media portraying the accused as guilty and casting aspersions on his family.The petitioner has stated that the release of the movie while trial is pending would create a media trial and prejudice his son's right to a fair trial.The petitioner also seeks a John Doe injunction to restrain all persons from releasing or publishing content based on the Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case till the conclusion of trial.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.

'Every Movie May Be Inspired By Some Real Story': Kerala HC Remarks In Plea To Stall Film Allegedly Based On Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case

K. Salma Jennath

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