KOCHI (Tuesday, April 7, 2026) — The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to block the release of the Malayalam film Kaalam Paranja Kadha. The plea was filed by the father of the primary accused in the infamous Venjaramoodu mass murder case, who argued that the movie—allegedly inspired by the real-life tragedy—would prejudice his son’s ongoing trial and defame the family.
The Ruling: Creative Freedom vs. Fair Trial
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas rejected the arguments presented by Abdal Rahim, the father of the accused A.R. Afan. The court maintained that the judiciary is capable of distinguishing between cinematic fiction and legal evidence.
- Judicial Neutrality: The judge orally observed that trials are conducted by legally trained judges who are not influenced by cinematic portrayals or “media trials.”
- CBFC Clearance: The court noted that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already granted the film a U/A 16+ certificate after a thorough review by its Revising Committee.
- Artistic License: It was remarked that while movies are often “inspired by real events,” an artist’s right to create cannot be easily trampled upon unless it directly interferes with the administration of justice, which was not proven in this case.
The Venjaramoodu Tragedy (February 24, 2025)
The petition stems from a brutal incident in early 2025 that shook Thiruvananthapuram.
| Case Detail | Information |
| The Accused | A.R. Afan (23), who surrendered at the Venjaramoodu police station. |
| The Victims | Afan’s younger brother, uncle, aunt, and girlfriend. |
| Survivor | Afan’s mother (a cancer patient), who was critically injured during the attack. |
| Alleged Motive | Personal disputes exacerbated by issues related to online gambling and drug use. |
Concerns Raised by the Petitioner
Abdal Rahim’s counsel, Advocates Sajju V. and Ajmal A., argued that the film would lead to a “pre-judgement” by society.
- Defamation: The petitioner claimed that if the public identified the characters with his family, it would cause irreversible damage to their dignity.
- Privacy: He argued the family did not “invite public scrutiny” and deserved to be left alone during the pendency of the criminal trial.
- CBFC Criticism: The plea alleged that the CBFC had not “applied its mind” and only suggested minor modifications (like muting swear words) without addressing the core grievance.
Outcome
The film is now clear for release. The CBFC’s counsel informed the court that the movie actually carries a strong social message against drugs and online gambling, rather than focusing on a specific real-life perpetrator.
Sources
- LiveLaw: “Kerala High Court Rejects Plea To Stall Movie ‘Kaalam Paranja Kadha’ Inspired By Venjaramoodu Case” (April 7, 2026).
- Bar and Bench: “Kerala High Court dismisses plea against release of film based on Venjaramoodu mass murder” (April 7, 2026).
- Indian Express: “Afan’s father Rahim says he lost everyone because of him” (March 2025 archival data).
- Official Court Order: Abdal Rahim H. v. Union of India and Ors. [WPC No. 3872/2026].
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