Religious hatred is spreading across the country with every passing day. Of late, films are being affected by this phenomenon. The latest victim of religious hatred is Malayalam film Minnal Murali, starring
Tovino Thomas in the lead role. The church set, which got erected for this film, got vandalized by the right-wing activists of Kerala. Tovino said that legal action will get taken on the culprits. Meanwhile, actor
Dulquer Salmaan extended his support to Tovino and his team on this issue.
In a press release, Tovino stated, "Minnal Murali's first schedule at Wayanad had been in progress when the set for the second schedule began construction at Kalady. It was carried out by art director Manu Jagad and team, under special instructions by stunt choreographer Vlad Rimburg. For this, we had the rightful permissions from the concerned authorities. And as we were about to start shooting in this set — which was built on a considerable cost, the whole country went into lockdown, following which our shoot was paused, just like all others' It is during this prevailing uncertainty that this contractual set was destroyed by a group of racialists yesterday. The reasons they cite for this unceremonious act are not understood to our senses till now. We've heard of movie sets being vandalized by religious fanatics in Northern parts of India. Now, it's happening to us right here. It has caused us a lot of distress, and even more of anxiety. We have decided to go ahead with the legal proceedings."
He also tweeted, "It has caused us a lot of distress, and even more of anxiety. We have decided to go ahead with the legal proceedings. #MinnalMurali." Reacting to his tweet, Dulquer Salmaan wrote, "So sorry to hear about this Tovi! Some don’t seem to realize the effort emotions talent and cost that goes into building and creating something. Supporting you and #sophia ma’am and the rest of the team ! Lots of love."