Some CPI(M) supporters called for a boycott of the film ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’. Meanwhile, the state PWD minister welcomed criticism.
Published Aug 12, 2022 | 10:24 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 12, 2022 | 10:30 PM
A poster of the movie 'Nna than poyi case kodu'. (Facebook)
Amid the raging controversy over who is responsible for the potholes in Kerala’s roads comes an advertisement for the film ‘Nna than Case Kodu’ that has riled some supporters of the ruling LDF in the state.
The ad, which appeared in all the leading dailies of the state, had a tag line that roughly translates as: “There are potholes on the road to the theatre, but still please come.”
The ad was perceived as taking a dig at the Kerala government over the controversies pertaining to the poor condition of the roads in the state.
The issue was in the news recently as there were widespread protests over the death of 52-year-old Hashim of Manjali in Paravoor in a road mishap caused by a pothole.
A poster of the movie ‘Nna than poyi case kodu’. (Facebook)
Initially, some CPI(M) supporters posted on Facebook that they would personally boycott the film. This included TV news debate panellists who usually defend the position of the CPI(M), the largest party in the LDF. Later, numerous posts surfaced on social media accounts linked to CPI(M) supporters that called for a total boycott of the film.
A Facebook post by Resmita Ramachandran, an advocate who regularly participates in TV news debates, read: “I had decided to watch the movie today, but now I am reversing my decision. I will be watching it only after the concerned people for the ad apologise publicly.”
Prem Kumar, a CPI(M) supporter who too defends the party in TV debates, said he had also decided to watch the movie but was now refraining from doing so, citing the words used in the advertisement as reason.
Some supporters of the ruling party said they would watch the movie only on Telegram groups.
However, the film ad was also published on the front page of the Deshabhimani newspaper, the mouthpiece of the CPI(M) Kerala State Committee.
When reporters asked Minister for PWD and Tourism Muhammed Riyas about the boycott call, he said: “Isn’t it an advertisement for the film? It should only be seen with that level of seriousness.”
He said everyone has the right to criticise, and added: “Potholes are an issue that we are all discussing today. Potholes have been there on our roads since Kerala state was formed; solving the issue is the need of the state.”
Kunchacko Boban, the lead actor in the film said he hoped the people who called for a boycott would refrain from doing so once they watch the movie.
“Potholes are an important element in the film, but the film broadly talks about issues of the ordinary people in a humorous and sarcastic manner,” Boban said.
The actor said during a television debate that he spoke to Riyas and said the minister saw the issue merely as a film ad and also assured the actor that the government was doing everything in its capacity to resolve the problems related to potholes.
According to the police, on 5 August, Hashim was driving home on his two-wheeler when it hit a pothole and crashed into the divider, throwing him onto the road beyond. A vehicle, heading in the opposite direction, presumed to be a truck, ran over him leading to his death.
Since then, the state has witnessed numerous protests over the miserable condition of the roads.
The protests even compelled Kerala High Court to order the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct an internal enquiry into the incident. The court also ordered NHAI to fill potholes within a week.
The death sparked political debates, with the CPI (M), Congress and BJP arguing over who was responsible for the potholes in Kerala’s roads.
The opposition has also come out strongly against the CPI(M) profiles seeking a boycott of the film on social media, calling it an example of the intolerance of the party workers.
