Murali Gopy breaks silence on film censorship, calling it a ‘Lynching of Art'

Time of India

11-07-2025

(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
Amid the growing debate around censorship in Indian cinema, screenwriter and actor
Murali Gopy
has finally broken his silence, and he hasn't minced words.
Without directly naming any film, Murali took to social media to express his frustration, sharing a pointed quote: 'Censorship is to art as lynching is to justice,' a line by renowned American literary critic Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Netizens react: Censoring is to art as fear is to truth…!!!
Murali Gopy's post was soon flooded with comments. One comment read, "Censoring is to art as fear is to truth…!!!" Another one wrote, "Lynching is usually carried out against individuals perceived as criminals or those suspected of engaging in anti-social activities. It often stems from a community's impulse to take justice into their own hands before the designated legal authorities can intervene."
'JSK' controversy
Though the post does not mention the Suresh Gopi-starrer 'Janaki vs State' of Kerala, the timing and context left little room for ambiguity.
L2: Empuraan - Official Teaser
For the unversed, the Suresh Gopi starrer has recently stirred controversy after the Censor Board objected to the name of the lead character, Janaki, citing religious sensitivities. The Board argued that naming a sexual assault survivor "Janaki," another name for the Hindu goddess Sita, was inappropriate and potentially provocative, especially as the courtroom drama involved characters from different faiths.
A film under fire, a name under scrutiny
The censorship row began when the Censor Board raised concerns that the film's portrayal could stoke communal tension. To resolve the issue, the filmmakers agreed to change the character's name to V. Janaki and mute all spoken references to the original name. The matter has triggered intense discussion online, with some supporting the Board's caution, while others decry it as stifling creative freedom.
Not the first time: 'Empuraan' faced cuts too
This isn't Murali's first brush with censorship. 'Empuraan,' the Prithviraj Sukumaran-directed sequel to 'Lucifer,' which Murali scripted, also ran into trouble with the Censor Board. Certain scenes were reportedly linked to the Gujarat riots and were ordered to be cut. On the positive side, the controversy gave much traction for the film, and the Mohanlal starrer turned out to be a blockbuster.