Miscreants vandalize church set of Malayalam film Minnal Murali at Kalady

Kochi: In a brazen attack with a communal tone, the film set of a church built for the shoot of a Tovino Thomas movie 'Minnal Murali' has been vandalised by miscreants allegedly belonging to Bajrang Dal under Perumbavoor police station limits in Ernakulam district of Kerala.

A person identifying himself as Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary Hari Palode posted the images of the attack, which took place on Sunday evening, on Facebook, sources said.

The miscreants who targeted the church claimed that it hurts their religious sentiments since a Hindu temple stands near the set.

"We had warned when they built the set not to do so in front of Manappuram Sri Mahadeva temple. We had given complaints,"the FB post claimed as it went on to thank the Bajrang Dal Ernakulam region president Malayatoor Ratheesh and his men for demolishing the set.

The set was readied during the month of March for the movie directed by Basil Joseph and produced by Sofia Paul. The shooting was suspended due to COVID-19 lockdown.

The producers association reacted describing the incident as 'unfortunate.'

The film fraternity comprising directors B.Unnikrishnan, Aashiq Abu, actress Reema Kallingal among others condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the film crew.

"When the whole world, irrespective of race, colour and creed is resisting a deadly pandemic, it's appalling to consider the deadly communal virus entrenched in the hearts of the anti-social elements who dared to demolish a film set which was developed spending lakhs of rupees and getting all required permissions," remarked Unnikrishnan expressing solidarity with the 'Minnal Murali' team and demanding the government to take stringent action.

Perumbavoor police told Mirror that the office-bearers of the temple lodged a police complaint against some 'outsiders' who barged into the set and demolished the church for which the temple authorities had granted permission to the film crew.

Further investigations are on.