Salim Kumar’s son's outrage sparks action: Kerala Police to target exploitative reels creators

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Home Department is tightening regulations around online content creators and independent vloggers who disrupt public order and violate personal privacy under the guise of digital reporting. This decisive move comes in the wake of widespread public resentment triggered by the unruly behaviour of social media videographers during the funeral rituals of veteran actor Salim Kumar.

The immediate catalyst for the administrative action was the sharp anger expressed by the late actor’s son, Chandu Salim Kumar, against vloggers who aggressively breached the family's private moments of grief. In an official social media post, the Kerala Police issued a stern warning, stating that individuals invading the privacy of others with mobile cameras will face severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.

The incident occurred at North Paravoor, where Salim Kumar's mortal remains were brought to his residence, 'Laughing Villa,' after being placed for public viewing at the Town Hall. Onlookers noted that several content creators swarmed the venue, relentlessly chasing arriving celebrities to shoot short videos and 'reels' for social media platforms.

Witnesses reported that these creators seemed driven entirely by the prospect of gaining 'likes' and views, showing absolute disregard for the mourning family. Observers close to the family noted that it was only out of sheer restraint and civic sense that Chandu Salim Kumar refrained from physically reacting to the intrusive videographers. Prominent figures from the Malayalam film industry have voiced strong support for the family, warning that allowing such unchecked behaviour tarnishes the cultural fabric of the state.

The menace of intrusive online media is not an isolated event. Industry insiders point out that this has become a recurring pattern at high-profile funerals and public events:

• Shaji N. Karun's Memorial: Similar unruly scenes were witnessed when the mortal remains of the legendary filmmaker were kept for public homage. Film producer Ranjith had openly confronted and admonished the vloggers at the venue.
• Sreenivasan's Funeral: The intrusion reached unprecedented levels during the final rites of veteran actor Sreenivasan, where creators aggressively crowded the grieving family.
• Sensationalist Clickbait: The primary objective of these accounts remains generating sensationalised content with deceptive captions, such as "Look what this actress did upon seeing that actor" or "Superstar arrives with daughter," solely to drive traffic on YouTube and Instagram.

The influx of self-proclaimed online media personnel has expanded beyond celebrity events. Following recent administrative shifts, a massive influx of independent vloggers has been observed within the state Secretariat, with some even attempting to crowd official press conferences held by the Chief Minister.

Strict legal actions await offenders

The Kerala Police has made it clear that such violations will no longer be tolerated under the pretext of media freedom. In an official statement, authorities reminded the public of the stringent legal provisions governing digital privacy:

Information Technology Act, 2000 (Section 66E): Capturing, publishing, or transmitting images or videos that violate a person's privacy without their consent is a serious criminal offence. Conviction under this section carries a penalty of up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹2 lakh, or both.

The Home Department is currently formulating guidelines to regulate online channels and mandate identity verification for independent digital creators attending public and sensitive events.