Complaint Against "Marakkar" Movie: Kerala High Court Directs Centre To Decide Within Four Weeks

The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Central government to take action on the complaint filed against the CBFC certification of the upcoming Malayalam movie 'Marakkar Arabikkadalinte Simham',  based on the life of Kunjali Marakkar, the naval chief of the Zamorin of Calicut

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan issued the order on a plea filed by a descendant of Kunjali Marakkar, seeking a restraint on the release of the film on the ground that it was an alleged distortion of history.

The court directed the Union government to take a final decision as per the law within four weeks.

Senior Advocate M Ramesh Chander appearing for the petitioner submitted that although a complaint was filed on February 7 last year, the State had not yet taken any decision.

Meanwhile, the Central Board of Film Certification informed the petitioner that the complaint has been forwarded to the concerned Ministry and added that the Centre had no role or right to interfere in the matter. 

However, the Court directed the Centre to take a decision on the complaint within 4 weeks.

The epic historical drama is said to be the most expensive Malayalam film ever made.

The petitioner submitted that the teaser of the movie portrayed distorted and fabricated versions of the life and time of Kunhalimarakkar which in turn defamed the members of his family. This would also incite communal hatred which poses an imminent threat to law and order, he submitted. 

The plea contended that the government or the district collector has the power to suspend the exhibition of film on the ground that it is likely to cause a breach of peace.

The petitioner asserted that an expert committee should view the film and only allow it to screen in a theatre thereafter. 

"The Central Board of Film Certification has given a U/A certificate for the movie without application of mind and without even verifying as to whether the film depicted the true story of the martyr Kunhali Marakkar," the petition alleged, adding that the history of "Kunjali Marakkar is a component of the school curriculum and if this version is exhibited it would have a serious impact on the minds of the children in their formative years".

Case Title: Mufeeda Arafath Marakkar v. Union of India