Moneycontrol PRO
HomeNewsTrendsEntertainmentWhat legal trouble has Mammootty's horror film Bramayugam run into?

What legal trouble has Mammootty's horror film Bramayugam run into?

Bramayugam: Days ahead of its release, Rahul Sadasivan-directed Malayalam horror film's team encountered a legal case alleging defamation of a Kerala Brahmin household's family name.

February 16, 2024 / 16:17 IST
A still from the Mammootty-starrer Malayalam film Bramayugam, running in the theatres.

Rahul Sadasivan's much-anticipated Malayalam film, Bramayugam, encountered a legal hurdle just days ahead of its scheduled release on February 15. The film features Mammootty in the lead role as Kunjamon Potti. However, as reported by Live Law, the head of Punjamon Illam, a Brahmin household in Kerala, has filed a case against the filmmakers, alleging defamation of their family name.

The legal challenge revolves around Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which questions the use of the lead character's name in Bramayugam. The petitioner argues that Mammootty's portrayal in the film is derogatory and could damage the reputation of their family. The plea asserts that retaining the character's name and depiction would cause significant harm to their legacy and future generations.

In response to the legal dispute, the filmmakers have quietly made adjustments, indicating that the lead character's name has been altered from Kunjamon Potti to Kodumon Potti. Despite this change, the true nature of the character remains undisclosed, although the trailer hints at a morally ambiguous role. Notably, Bramayugam breaks from convention by presenting the story in black and white, adding to its unique appeal.

During the trailer launch event in Abu Dhabi, Mammootty urged viewers to approach the film with an open mind and refrain from forming premature judgments based solely on the trailer. Alongside Mammootty, the film features a talented ensemble cast including Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan, Amalda Liz, and Manikandan R Achari. Set in the 17th century, Bramayugam is jointly produced by Night Shift Studios and YNOT Studios and will be released in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, besides Malayalam. In the south, while the film has been released in Malayalam and Tamil, this legal issue has stalled the Telugu and Kannada release of the film.

The film, which is running in theatres in rest of India, is receiving good reviews from the audiences, Mammootty has received praises for his tremendous performance on the big screen. At 72, the actor, who wowed his audiences last month with the Jeo Baby's Kaathal - The Core, as a middle-aged homosexual man stuck in a heterosexual marriage, is outdoing himself with every new film. The horror film Bramayugam, by the brilliant Revathy-starrer Bhoothakaalam director, is a groundbreaking cinematic experience in the horror genre in India, since the Marathi film Tumbbad (2018) in the recent times.

Bramayugam released in theatres on February 15, 2024.

Bhawana Tanmayi is a Hyderabad-based freelance entertainment journalist. Views expressed are personal.
first published: Feb 16, 2024 03:13 pm

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347