'Vilayath Buddha' runtime trimmed, producer says film targeted on social media over issues with actor

Ernakulam: Five days into the release of Malayalam cinema ‘Vilayath Buddha’ directed by Jayan Nambiar and starring Prithviraj and Shammi Thilakan, the movie is already facing harsh online criticism, not just for its script and content but also a fresh wave of attack on the hero of the movie Prithviraj.

Sandip Senan, the producer of the movie has already approached the cyber police to investigate the online smear campaign targetting the film. The films runtime is been trimmed by 15 minutes after a wave of negative publicity and many criticizing the duration of the movie and the storyline..  

Also Read

Who is Pawan Thakur, Dubai-based fugitive linked to India’s Rs 2,500 crore cocaine haul

Karnataka CM row: DK Shivakumar hints at "secret deal", refuses public statement

Indian woman harassment: China responds to Shanghai Airport incident | Here"s what it said

“I am deeply worried as the movie’s performance in the box office has dropped steeply in the last two days where a group of social media handlers are targeting the lead actor. There has been unnecessary negative comments against the movie”, said Sandip while speaking to a regional media house.

“From a producers perspective, it is deeply unfair to pull down a movie simply because someone has an issue with an actor who is performing the lead role. The whole project is being undermined because of this issue”, he added.

Sandip said he is yet to speak with Prithviraj regarding the incident and stated that he decided to file a case in his capacity as a producer.

Sandip said that he has already filed a case against a YouTube channel for spreading defamatory content about the film.

“I wanted to find out who is behind this campaign. I have seen numerous identical comments posted under our promotional material. As a producer, how am I supposed to survive in the industry if we have to worry about the coordinated hate campaigns targetting actors and films?”, asked Sandip.

Sandip had already bankrolled some critically-acclaimed films including “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum” and “Saudi Vellakka”, among other commercially successful cinemas.

“Vilayath Buddha” is based on writer GR Indugopan’s novel of the same name and revolves around the life of a sandalwood smuggler Double Mohanan and a retired school teacher Bhaskara Menon who have a face-off over a sandalwood tree.