Actor Ranjini questions Malayalam cinema’s shift towards violence

Veteran actor Ranjini, best known for her roles in Chithram, Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu and Kottayam Kunjachan, has expressed concerns over the growing influence of violent themes in Malayalam cinema. In a social media post made on Monday, she questioned why the industry, known for its “unique award-winning scripts, movie-making, and acting,” is now taking inspiration from Korean, Japanese, Telugu and Kannada films to produce movies like Marco, Aavesham, and Rifle Club.

She lamented the societal impact of cinema, attributing the rise of intolerance among youngsters to “bad parenting, substance abuse, YouTube/Instagram influencers” and the influence of violent films. Criticising the censor board, she asked, “Are they hibernating?” Ranjini also urged filmmakers to remember the legacy of Malayalam cinema’s pioneers, including JC Daniel, KG George, Aravindan, MT Vasudevan Nair, Padmarajan, and Lenin Rajendran, who shaped the industry with meaningful storytelling.

Her remarks come amid a debate over whether violent Malayalam films inspire real-life crimes in Kerala. The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors' Union recently issued a statement defending artistic freedom, countering claims that cinema directly influences criminal behaviour.

Ranjini, who made her acting debut in Tamil with Bharathiraja's Mudhal Mariyathai, was last seen in the 2016 Malayalam film Pa Va.