Meppadiyan, a Malayalam film released on January 14, has come under fire from so-called Left-liberals and Islamists for allegedly praising “right-wing ideology” through the film. These pseudo-secular gang have opposed director Vishnu Mohan’s artistic decision to incorporate the Seva Bharati ambulance and a Lord Ayyappa monument into the film.
Additionally, several Islamist social media activists masquerading as liberals have criticised the film for depicting Unni Mukundan as a devout and religious Hindu figure. According to those critics, Unni Mukundan attempts to incite communal hate through several scenes, such as using a Seva Bharati ambulance in the climax scene and references to Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala throughout the movie.
Numerous pro-left and Islamic social media thugs attempted to bash the movie by discussing fake communal issues thoroughly. This is undoubtedly one of the best films released in recent years. These ostensibly left-leaning academics extol the virtues of films like Malik, which effectively laud black market transactions, violence, and corruption without emphasising the communal pleasure that occurs in those films. Numerous Malayalam films include villains who are devout followers of Hinduism or Christianity. We have even seen films in which priests are presented as antagonists. Our Malayali community’s achievement back then was that we could constantly separate a character’s harshness from a character’s religion. We never objected when Narendra Prasad played a godman antagonist against Suresh Gopi in Ekalvyan or Vijayaraghavan played an evil Christian priest in Crimefile. However, these so-called liberals objected to the fact that Indrans, the film’s antagonist, is an orthodox Muslim. Are these individuals implying that orthodox Muslims are incapable of committing evil acts? Or are they attempting to imply that the film implies that all Muslims are villains? The film does neither of these things. Many people criticise this film solely based on Unni Mukundhan’s public declaration that he is a “nationalist.” These individuals are the actual issue; they cannot see beyond religion and the pressing concerns confronting our country. Nonetheless, these individuals identify as secular.
According to those critics, Unni Mukundan attempted to incite communal hate through several scenes, such as using a Seva Bharati ambulance in the climax scene and references to Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala throughout the movie
In Jeo Baby’s film The Great Indian Kitchen, numerous scenes disrespect Ayyappa devotees. Similarly, several films glorifying Islamist ideologies have been made; debates concerning love jihad are currently occurring at the pan-Indian level. This alleged activity involves young Muslim boys and men impersonating them in non-Muslim identities to trap girls and ladies from non-Muslim communities to convert them to Islam. Even kids understand how the antagonist in Muhammad Musthafa’s film Kappela happened to wear an orange string on his wrist and tilak on his forehead; in that film, Hindu beliefs and Hindus are unnecessarily presented as villains. It is assumed that so-called intellectuals find it relatively progressive without noticing any faults and find it vexing for the mere reason that a film emphasises Hindu ideals and features an Islamist villain.
It is heart-breaking to witness a segment of society waging a hate campaign and denigrating artistic freedom
Unni Mukundan
It is worth noting that Seva Bharati has come under fire for its ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). RSS is dedicated to the economic empowerment of India’s economically disadvantaged communities, particularly tribal and indigenous peoples. It also operates ambulance services in Kerala to support the state’s current health care infrastructure and provide medical help to individuals living in distant areas.
Responding directly to the issue, actor Unni Mukundan stated in an interview that he saw nothing wrong with the Seva Bharati Ambulance’s portrayal. He continued, “It is heart-breaking to witness a segment of society waging a hate campaign and denigrating artistic freedom.”
While praising Seva Bharati as an NGO that has been operating in India for several decades and provides free ambulance service, the actor stated that the film is about an ordinary man who becomes entangled in financial difficulties. He categorically implied that the use of the Seva Bharati ambulance “cannot be interpreted as a political statement.”
“How is it wrong to use Seva Bharati’s ambulance? It is the organisation that I have witnessed arrive first, even ahead of the police and fire department, during disasters. Who in Kerala is unaware of this? How can a film be made without them?”
Vishnu Mohan, Director
Unni Mukundan portrays a simple man named Jayakrishnan who lives in a town near Kottayam. While he is continuously confronted with financial difficulties, his life is turned upside down when Philip, played by Saiju Kurup, entraps him in a land deal.
Meanwhile, director Vishnu Mohan stated that Seva Bharati could not be omitted from society. “How is it wrong to use their ambulance?” He asked. The director also added that they were willing to provide an ambulance for free when those offering one for the shoot demanded a high fee.
He further mentioned that Seva Bharati had raced to aid the state of Kerala during times of tragedy. “Seva Bharati is the organisation that I have witnessed arrive first, even ahead of the police and fire department, during disasters. Who in Kerala is unaware of this? How can a film be made without them?” He asked. Seva Bharati is a non-governmental organisation that aims to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged parts of Indian society, predominantly tribal and indigenous groups. Additionally, it works inside urban communities by instituting welfare and social service programmes such as free medical care, free education, and vocational training.
Discussion about this post