'Prithviraj approached me with request; can't blame Mohanlal for FB post'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst the hullabaloo over the movie ‘Empuraan’, former CPM minister Kadakampally Surendran reminisced about the shooting days of the Empuraan’s prequel ‘Lucifer’. In 2018, Prithviraj met with Surendran, who was then the Minister of Tourism, to seek permission to shoot for Lucifer at Kanakakunnu Palace.

Kadakampally Surendran:

"In 2018, Prithviraj, came to my official residence to seek permission for shooting at Kanakakunnu Palace. I was then the tourism minister and had decided not to allow the palace for film shootings anymore since it was usually returned in a dilapidated 'messy' state. Raju came to ask for a concession. He had made up his mind to shoot the climax at Kanakakunnu Palace, which he thought was apt for the movie.

Responding to Raju's request, I first amicably explained the reason for not giving the palace for film shooting anymore. Kanakakunnu was finally granted to Lucifer based on Raju's assurance that the palace would be returned without any damage. At that time, I never once inquired about the movie plot, whether it was critical of the government or anti-CPIM. When the film was released, I went to see it and realized the heavy CPM criticism included in it. I liked the film so much that I called Prithviraj and congratulated him but was careful not to ask anything about the CPM bashing.

I wouldn't do it because I belong to CPM, the political party that places 'freedom of expression' on the top of the list of human liberties. Today, ‘Empuraan’, the second part of Lucifer, is facing intense persecution for its scathing depiction of Sangh atrocities in the Gujarat riots. The cast and crew, including Mohanlal and Prithviraj, are facing a strong hate campaign over this. Not only members but even RSS leaders have come forward with public threats.

Not only did they have to cut important scenes in the film under this pressure, but the great actor Mohanlal Lal also had to apologize. The situation where artists have to kowtow before fascists is rarely a blessing for our country. We cannot blame Mohanlal and Prithviraj for succumbing to Sangh threats. If they do not adhere to their demands, either the ED or NIA will show up at their doors tomorrow morning.

The only way we can subdue this threat is by openly discussing Sangh Parivar's anarchy-favoured politics. Let communal politics be discussed more loudly in every street, every tea shop, every business lounge, and every family.