17 cuts in L2 Empuraan over Gujarat Riots references amid controversy
Thiruvananthapuram: The Malayalam film L2 Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, will undergo 17 cuts following controversy over its references to the 2002 Gujarat riots. The film's production team confirmed that a revised version would be released in theatres next week. The changes include the removal of riot-related violence, alteration of the antagonist's name from Baba Bajrangi, and muting of certain dialogues.
Producer Gokulam Gopalan stated that while the film had cleared censorship, the edits were being made to avoid hurting the sentiments of a section of the audience. Director Prithviraj Sukumaran has reportedly agreed to the modifications.
Despite becoming the first Malayalam film to cross ₹100 crore within two days of release, L2 Empuraan has drawn political criticism. While the BJP has not formally protested, its Kerala unit president, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, expressed disappointment and said he would not watch the movie. "A film should be viewed as cinema, not history. Any attempt to distort facts is bound to fail," he remarked.
BJP leader and former Union minister V Muraleedharan echoed this sentiment, while Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha's state general secretary K Ganesh called for an investigation into Prithviraj’s "foreign connections" and alleged "anti-national" themes in his films. The RSS, in its mouthpiece Organiser, criticised the film as a "divisive narrative disguised as cinema."
The Congress, however, defended the movie, accusing the BJP of intolerance. A senior Congress leader noted that the BJP welcomed films critical of Congress, such as The Accidental Prime Minister and Emergency, and questioned the party's selective outrage.
Kerala minister and CPM leader V Sivankutty said the 2002 riots were part of Indian history and could not be erased, stating, "Freedom of expression is fundamental to democracy, and any attempt to stifle it must be opposed."
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
