Parvathy-starrer ‘Varthamanam’ is 'anti-national', can't be screened: Censor

Parvathy-starrer Varthamanam has been rejected for screening by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Kerala for being ‘anti-national’.

In the film, Parvathy plays the character of a researcher who goes to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi to study about a freedom fighter.

The film has been directed by Sidhartha Siva while the script has been written by Congress leader Aryadan Shoukath. The movie also stars Roshan Mathew and Dain Davis. “It is set against the Delhi campus of the JNU and the student movement there. It shows how all of them come together despite political differences, and shows very secular ideas,” said Shoukath while speaking to The News Minute.

Shoukath confirmed that the team has got a notice from the CBFC and that the film has been sent to a revising committee. “We have not been offered any reason why the film cannot be screened,” Shoukath said.

A day before, BJP leader and censor board member Adv V Sandeep Kumar had tweeted about Varthamanam. He called the film “anti-national in nature and has the potential to disrupt peace”. The tweet has since then been deleted.

Sandep Kumar wrote in the post: “I saw the movie (Varthamanam) as a member of the censor board. The topic was the persecution of Dalits and Muslims in the JNU agitation. I opposed it. Because Aryadan Shoukath was the screenwriter and producer of the film, of course, the theme of the film was anti-national.”

Shoukath responded to Sandeep Kumar’s now-deleted post on Facebook. “How does talking about student protests in a Delhi campus make the film anti-national? This film is about fight for democracy in India. I believe we still live in a democratic, secular, socialist republic. Does one check the clan and race of the scriptwriter before giving permission for its screening?” Shoukath’s post read.