'One came and hugged while Sreenivasan’s body was taken to pyre, gestured to someone standing at a distance to take photo'

Whether they are celebrities or ordinary people, barging into their private moments, filming reels, and posting them on social media is not a sign of cultural refinement; it is simply an indecent act. These acts to gain likes and shares are disrupting social life itself. We witnessed this during the funeral functions of actor Sreenivasan and, most recently, Salim Kumar. The anger expressed by Salim Kumar’s son, Chandu, is a wake-up call to society’s conscience. In this context, the police move to curb those intruding into people's privacy for reels is highly welcome. Director Sathyan Anthikad shares his thoughts on the issue.

‘Before his death, Sreenivasan had spoken to me privately about a few things. One of them was that he did not want his body to be kept for public viewing. However, since many admirers wished to pay their last respects, we had no choice but to keep it for public homage for a short while. YouTubers launched such an invasion with mobile phones, making it impossible to distinguish relatives from friends. During such emotionally overwhelming moments, we are often in no state to react.

When Sreenivasan’s body was being taken to the cremation ground, a man standing right next to me and Dhyan Sreenivasan hugged us as though he was trying to console us. He then gestured to someone standing at a distance to click a photo. In such circumstances, we are not in the mental state to push people away or confront them. We become completely helpless.

Against the backdrop of what happened at Salim Kumar’s house and the conduct of some online media there, legal action against such YouTubers has become necessary. Their interference has reached a level beyond anyone's control. No one should be allowed to enter such places without permission, and this rule must be strictly enforced.
Family members at funeral homes should also remain vigilant. To my knowledge, when Kodiyeri Balakrishnan passed away, such incidents were prevented because party workers themselves maintained control. It can be done. People need to have the will and courage to act.

The police should not let this remain a mere announcement. They must take it up as a mission. Since V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala are now in positions of authority, there is reason for hope. They can make this happen. At the very least, the practice of YouTubers thrusting mobile phones into the faces of grieving people and celebrities must end.’