Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Empuraan Controversy: ‘Why Should I Fuel Pinarayi Vijayan’s Debate?’

The controversy surrounding the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan may have been “manufactured” by the film’s producers for publicity, but it was Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who turned it into a political issue, said newly elected BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Chandrasekhar, who initially planned to watch the movie as a sequel to the hit film Lucifer, decided to skip it after the filmmakers announced 17 cuts and Mohanlal expressed regret.

“I chose not to watch it now because Mohanlal himself said he felt upset. If he has issues with his own movie, why should I watch it? If he’s not happy with the final product, why should I buy a ticket and popcorn for it? Once the revised version is out, I’ll consider watching it,” Chandrasekhar said on ieMalayalam’s weekly podcast Varthamanam, set to release on April 2.

Chandrasekhar Criticizes Pinarayi Vijayan’s Role

“I am a fan of Lalettan (Mohanlal), so I initially wanted to watch it,” Chandrasekhar explained. “There was a lot of debate—some liked it, some didn’t. Pinarayi Vijayan really liked it. That’s when I decided not to watch it because I wasn’t motivated to do so under these circumstances. Why should I fuel Pinarayi Vijayan’s controversy? The Congress, as expected, followed CPI(M)’s lead, making the issue even bigger.”

The Kerala BJP chief maintained that both he and the party had consistently held the view that Empuraan should be treated as just a movie, dismissing the controversy as “manufactured.”

“I never saw it as a controversy at first. This was a staged controversy—perhaps a publicity stunt by the producers. We have always said that a movie is just a movie, not history. When historical narratives are altered under creative license, there will be criticism, and that’s what is happening now,” he added.

BJP’s Stance on Freedom of Expression

Chandrasekhar reaffirmed that the BJP upholds the right to free speech but expects the same courtesy from others.

“The BJP and the Sangh Parivar believe in the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution. So if BJP members, supporters, or anyone from our ecosystem critiques the film after watching it, why should it be taken negatively? It’s their opinion, and they have the right to express it. In my view, the filmmakers are re-editing Empuraan because they received such feedback. That’s how I interpret it,” he said.

On whether Empuraan should have received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which includes members nominated by the Centre, Chandrasekhar said, “The CBFC is an independent institution. You should ask them what their criteria were when approving the film. If someone disagrees with a viewpoint, it’s an opinion, not a controversy.”

On the Kunal Kamra Controversy

Commenting on the legal action against comedian Kunal Kamra, Chandrasekhar said it was up to the courts to decide. He emphasized that while Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees free speech, Article 19(2) also imposes reasonable restrictions.

“I don’t know the specifics of the case, nor under which section the charges have been filed. But if the case is valid, the court will uphold the petitioner’s stance. If the defendant believes he’s right, his lawyer can argue for dismissal. Ultimately, the court will decide if the case aligns with Article 19(2),” he said.

Kamra faces FIRs in Maharashtra for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In a stand-up performance, he reportedly called Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) over the Shiv Sena split. Last Friday, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail in connection with one of the FIRs.