The makers of the Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love and the internet sensation actor Priya Prakash Varrier filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday. The petition urged the apex court to quash the cases filed against a song in the film that has gone viral on social media, reported Bar and Bench.
The makers of the film stated in the petition that the case violated their freedom of speech and expression and right to life and liberty. They also pointed out that the original song had been part of local culture in Kerala since the 1970s, without any controversy.
The song had been “cherished by more than 1 crore Muslims” in Kerala and that it cannot “suddenly offend” their sentiments. Indian Express reports that the plea could be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.
A group of men on February 14 filed a complaint at the Falaknuma Police Station in Hyderabad against the song Manikya Malarayi Poovi from the upcoming Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love. They alleged that the song’s video insults Prophet Mohammad. Varrier is seen winking at a male student in the video that went viral on social media, making her famous overnight.
Then the police registered a case against the film’s director Omar Lulu for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. On Saturday, the police sent Lulu a notice seeking a reply within 15 days, PTI reported.
On February 15, Hyderabad-based Islamic seminary Jamia Nizamia had issued a fatwa, demanding that the government remove the song from the film.
Breaking: Priya Prakash Varrier moves Supreme Court seeking quashing of criminal proceedings in relation to the song “Manikya Malarayi Poovi. @barandbench pic.twitter.com/RsbhOo2zv2
— Murali Krishnan (@legaljournalist) February 19, 2018
Actress Priya Warrier, famous for the wink in movie, moves SC seeking quashing of FIRs filed against her in various places because of the action. Priya says song in which the wink featured was written 40 years ago & has been sung by Muslim community all along without any protest
— Times of India (@timesofindia) February 19, 2018
#BREAKING — The national crush girl from Kerala, Priya Warrier approaches SC; files plea against case registered in Telangana says case is against Freedom of Speech and Expression pic.twitter.com/6BiHbaZiZU
— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 19, 2018