Malayalam film “Varthamanam” is based on a student protest that was held in the Jawaharlal Nehru University last year in December regarding the fee hike. The Kerala Censorship Board of Film Certification has denied approval for the screening of the film.
The film is directed by Sidhartha Siva with famous Malayalam actor Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead role. This film is trying to show the journey of a woman from Kerala, who goes to Jawaharlal Nehru University for her studies, mainly for the research purpose on freedom fighters.
The scriptwriter and a Congress leader, Aryadan Shoukath explains that they received a notice from CBFC that they are sending the film to the revisiting committee, without illustrating any reason or issue.
Award-winning scriptwriter, Shoukath also added that he had spent months writing the script and also spent several days in New Delhi to understand the real situation and culture of JNU campus. Moreover, this film shows the Delhi campus and students’ protest and exhibits a very secular idea.
He further said that they couldn’t send this film to any film festivals if they do not get the CBFC’s permission for the screening of the film before 31st December.
On the weekend, BJP leader and advocate Sandeep Kumar was tweeted about the film and the reason behind the revisit. In his tweet, he mentions that the film is anti-national, it harms the integrity and harmony, and disrupts unity and peace. And he also added that “I watched the film as a board member, the theme was the oppression of Dalit and Muslims in JNU protest. After this, he stated, the film is anti-national because it is scripted and produced by Aryadan Shoukath.
Aryan Shoukath responds to advocate Sandeep Kumar’s tweet on Facebook, How this film is anti-national? Although, it focused on students’ protest. And fight for their rights in India?
He also added that the reason for the revisit was based on political grounds. Lastly, he said that “We are still living in India which is a democratic, secular and socialist country. Is it based on the clan and race of the scriptwriter that a film is given a nod for screening? The undeclared emergency situation in the cultural sector cannot be accepted…”
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