MDMK general secretary Vaiko.
| Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY
Close on the heels of the makers of Malayalam film L2: Empuraanannouncing voluntary cuts in the film following objections by right-wing groups, MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday (April 1, 2025) urged the Tamil Nadu government to “ban the screening” of the Mohanlal starrer saying the movie had portrayed Mullaperiyar dam as unsafe.
In a statement, the Rajya Sabha MP said there was a reference in the film to a dam in Nedumpally and a dialogue made a case for demolishing it since the Travancore king was threatened by the British to sign an agreement for lease of land for 999 years. “Dialogues in four places say even though the British have left and the king is gone, the dam is still there to destroy Kerala,” said Mr. Vaiko.
He said yet another dialogue was in favour of “bombing” the dam. “If we bomb the dam, which is drowning people even if two shutters are opened, it will destroy the entire Kerala [State],” Mr. Vaiko said recalling the dialogues.
The MDMK leader said the film also dismissed the safety of check dams. “It is safe only if there is no dam,” he quoted another dialogue.
Pointing out the ruling of the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee to study the safety of the dam, he alleged vested interests had made the film to create fear among the people of Kerala about the dam.
“All the controversial scenes and dialogues in the films should be edited out,” he said.
Published – April 02, 2025 08:03 am IST
