A political controversy has erupted over the newly released Malayalam film ‘Pallichattambi’, directed by Dijo Jose Antony and starring Tovino Thomas. Congress leader Sandeep Varier has come out with a scathing critique of the film, alleging that it distorts historical facts to create a favorable political narrative and “whitewash” dark chapters of the past.

In a social media post, Sandeep Varier accused the makers of the film of presenting half-truths to glorify a specific political ideology while hiding the harsh realities of history.

Key Highlights of the Criticism:

• Historical Distortion: Varier alleges that ‘Pallichattambi’ attempts to whitewash the events surrounding the first Communist government in Kerala and the Liberation Struggle (Vimochanasamaram). He claims the film portrays these events in a way that aligns with a particular political agenda.
• The Cheriyathura Firing & Flori: A major point of contention is the portrayal of the police firing at Cheriyathura, a tragic event during the Liberation Struggle where Flori, a pregnant woman, lost her life. Varier pointed out that the film depicts the incident as if the then-Chief Minister, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, or the government were unaware of the police action. He termed this a “bizarre” attempt to shield the leadership from the moral and political responsibility of the state’s actions.
• Political Whitewashing: The Congress leader stated that trying to save a leader’s image by detaching them from the actions of the police under their administration is nothing but “political whitewashing.” He argued that reducing the martyrdom of people to mere “technical errors” by the police is an injustice to those who suffered.
• Call for Honesty in Cinema: Sandeep Varier concluded that while filmmakers have creative freedom, they also have a responsibility to be honest when dealing with history. He stated that for a political film to be truly authentic, the creators must have the courage to show the failures and state-sponsored atrocities without filters.

While the film has triggered a heated debate on social media regarding the intersection of cinema and history, the director and lead actor Tovino Thomas have yet to issue an official response to these allegations.

A new vlog by Rushin Shaji Kailas, shot at his mother and former actress Annie’s ancestral home, is quickly gaining traction on social media. The video features Rushin along with his siblings, Jagan and Sharon, visiting the family home in Kunnukuzhi to pick mangoes. True to his signature style, Rushin’s vlog is filled with hilarious, light-hearted trolls directed at his mother and grandfather.

In a funny introductory segment, Rushin points to a spot and says, “This is where mom eloped from.” He playfully adds that the jackfruit tree that stood there back in the day has been cut down, promising his viewers that he will share more details about the story in his upcoming videos. His unique and highly entertaining presentation style has made the vlog an instant hit among fans.

Following in the footsteps of their parents—veteran director Shaji Kailas and actress Annie—the children are also making their mark in the film industry. Rushin has already made his acting debut in the Indrajith-starrer ‘Thakkol’, where his performance garnered much appreciation. Meanwhile, his elder brother Jagan is gearing up for his directorial debut with an upcoming thriller starring Dileep.