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."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah labels Kumaraswamy 'Manuvadi" over Bhagavad Gita curriculum push
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday took a swipe at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, by calling him a "Manuvadi" after his alliance with the BJP, for seeking the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in curriculum for students.
The CM's dig came in response to Kumaraswamy's recent letter to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, requesting the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in the curriculum of students.
"After Kumaraswamy joined hands with the BJP for elections, he has become a Manuvadi," Siddaramaiah told reporters here after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary here.
ALSO READ: National Herald case: Shivakumar calls Delhi Police notice 'harassment'
Remembering Ambedkar, Siddaramaiah highlighted his contribution to the Constitution and his relentless fight to provide social justice.
The CM noted said fed up with social and caste system in Hinduism, and unable to reform it, Ambedkar accepted Buddhism.
He said, "Ambedkar, towards the end of his life, quit Hinduism and joined Buddhism. He was born in Hinduism, but cannot die in Hinduism, because he could not reform Hinduism, despite several efforts, so he accepted Buddhism."
