Producer Announces 24 Edits to Resolve 'Empuraan' Controversy
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Synopsis
In response to controversy, co-producer Antony Perumbavoor announced 24 cuts to the film 'Empuraan', including the removal of violent scenes and changes to character names. The decision was made collectively, aiming to address viewers' concerns while avoiding external pressures.
Key Takeaways
- 24 cuts announced for 'Empuraan'
- Violent scenes involving a pregnant woman removed
- Character name changed from Bejarangi to Baldev
- Union Minister's name omitted from thank you credits
- Re-editing deemed a proactive measure
Thiruvananthapuram, April 1 (NationPress) Antony Perumbavoor, the co-producer of the now controversial Malayalam blockbuster film 'Empuraan', announced on Tuesday that the film will undergo 24 cuts.
The team currently working on re-editing the film has completed one segment, and the next phase will commence later today.
The newly edited version is expected to be released in theaters starting Wednesday.
All violent scenes featuring a pregnant woman have been entirely removed, and the antagonist's name has been altered from Bejarangi to Baldev.
In response to a request from Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi, his name has been omitted from the film's thank you credits.
The film previously portrayed the premier investigative agency, NIA, in a negative light, but this portion has now been muted in the revised copy.
Earlier, Perumbavoor emphasized that the decision to re-edit the film was made as a group.
"We do not create films based on falsehoods. The film has received broad acceptance, and there is no need for any controversy," stated Perumbavoor.
He reiterated that the decision for re-editing was not due to external pressure, but rather a proactive measure to address concerns raised by certain viewers.
"After we recognized that some segments of society were dissatisfied, we chose to reassess and reached this collective decision," he added.
Addressing rumors of blame towards director Prithviraj Sukumaran—who also stars in the film—Perumbavoor clarified that all involved, including superstar Mohanlal, were fully aware of the creative choices made.
"There is no reason to point fingers at Prithviraj," he stated.
The controversy began after 'Empuraan' faced criticism from 'Organiser', a publication linked to the RSS, initially targeting Mohanlal and subsequently Prithviraj.
In light of the backlash, the filmmakers opted for last-minute edits.
With Perumbavoor’s confirmation of the re-edit, there is speculation that viewers may flock back to theaters to discover the changes made.
The updated version is currently being prepared by Qube Cinema, which will distribute the revised digital print to all cinemas and screening locations.
Meanwhile, the silence of Empuraan's scriptwriter, Murali Gopy, has drawn attention, with sources indicating he is significantly affected by the ongoing controversy.
However, Perumbavoor minimized concerns, asserting that there was nothing unusual about Gopy's silence.
Interestingly, Perumbavoor’s journey within the Malayalam film industry commenced as Mohanlal’s driver. After gaining the superstar’s trust, he secured a date for his first production, 'Narasimham' (1999), which went on to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time. Today, his production house, Aashirvad Cinemas, stands as the largest in the Malayalam film industry.
In a related development, on Tuesday, a writ petition was submitted to the Kerala High Court seeking to halt the screening of 'Empuraan'. The petitioner raised objections regarding the portrayal of the post-Godhra communal riots in the film, claiming it posed a risk of inciting communal violence.
Petitioner V. V. Vijesh has since been suspended from the BJP.
