The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 7) has dismissed a plea seeking to stall the release of the film Kaalam Paranja Kadha, which is reportedly inspired by the Venjaramoodu mass murder case.
The petition was filed by the father of the accused in the case, who argued that the release of the film could potentially influence the ongoing trial before the Sessions Court in Thiruvananthapuram. He also raised concerns about defamation, stating the portrayal in the film might actually lead the public to identify the family, thus subjecting them to scrutiny. As per the petitioner, while artistic freedom is important, it should not be at the cos of dignity and privacy of individuals connected to a real-life case.
What Is The Venjaramoodu Mass Murder Case?
For the unversed, the Venjaramoodu mass murder case involves the of five relatives by a man Afan, along with an attempted attack on his mother. Afan remains the sole accused in the case, which is currently pending before the Principal Sessions Court in Thiruvananthapuram.
What Happened In Trial?
As per a report in Live Law, during the hearing, the High Court questioned how the release of a film could interfere with the fairness of a trial, stating that there have been multiple films that have drawn inspiration from real-life incidents. The bench also expressed scepticism over the defamation claim, stating that such arguments would be difficult to sustain in the present context.
The film, on its part, has already received a U/A 16+ certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after review by its Revising Committee. The certification was granted with minor modifications, including the muting of certain words and the addition of disclaimers.
The petitioner contended that the CBFC failed to adequately consider his concerns, arguing that the certification process did not address the core issue of potential harm to his family’s reputation. The CBGF, however, opposed the plea, maintaining that the film would not impact the fairness of the trial and is only loosely inspired by the case.
CBFC Response
A counsel, representing the CBFC, who had viewed the film, informed the court that key details such as names, circumstances, and method of the crime had been altered. She also stated that the film primarily delivers a social message highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and online gambling.
During the course of the proceedings, the petitioner had narrowed his request seeking a stay on the film’s release until the trial ended, but after hearing arguments from both sides, the court ultimately ruled in favour of allowing the film’s release.