A complaint against the makers of the Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love has been filed in Hyderabad alleging that the song Manikya Malaraya Poovi from the film has derogatory lyrics that hurt the sentiments of Muslims.
The complaint was filed by a group of Muslim youth from Falaknuma who alleged that the lyrics are blasphemous as there is a mention of Prophet Muhammed in the song.
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Falaknuma SHO, P Yadagiri said an FIR has been registered under section 295 A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings).
Reacting to the controversy, one social media user pointed out that the song is in fact a popular Mappila folk song, which celebrates the marriage of the Prophet and his first wife Khadeeja.
As a Malayali Muslim myself, I am clarifying this for the last and final time. This song is not even remotely offensive! On the contrary, this is an old and very popular Mappila folk song which is sung on festive occasions, esp during wedding functions. https://t.co/HyW8SlWvWV
— Weed (@goonerblues) February 14, 2018
The song celebrates marraige between the Prophet and his first wife Khadeeja. Both of them are addressed in the most respectful respectful manner and you need to be a Malayali yourself to understand and appreciate the beauty of the wordings in that song
— Weed (@goonerblues) February 14, 2018
The Muslims (and non Muslims alike) of Kerala take a lot of pride in their Mappila folk songs. We don't need your validation on how to express our love for the Prophet and his family. Nor do we need outsiders to explain Mappila Malayalam to us. Thanks
— Weed (@goonerblues) February 14, 2018
If they still find the song offensive, please ask them to go ahead and file a complaint. But do ask them to include the Muslim community of Kerala in their complaint too. Cause not only do they cherish this song but they will continue to sing it. Sorry but not sorry @Iamtssudhir
— Weed (@goonerblues) February 14, 2018
The song has become an enormous hit. The segment where a young schoolgirl winks at her schoolmate made the song’s video hugely popular, winning fans not only across the country but even internationally. Telugu star Allu Arjun had tweeted that it was “the cutest video” he had seen in recent times.
Speaking to TNM, one of the complainants, Mohammed Khaleel, said, “After the song went viral, in the comments section we saw that people were complaining about the lyrics… later one of us Google-translated the words and it turns out that the lyrics are about Prophet Mohammed. The mention of Prophet Mohammed should be removed.”
He added, “Initially, we reached out to the Kerala police to register a complaint. However, they told us to approach the local police station. Hence we filed a complaint here.”
The complaint was filed on Tuesday at around 11.30 pm.
Meanwhile, the director of the film, Omar Lulu, gave a clarification about the song. He told India Today, “This is a very common song in Malabar area – in marriage functions, etc. We heard about the complaint from media. Since 1973 onwards this song has been sung. Kerala is a communally harmonious state. There is nothing against Prophet Mohammed in the song.”
Another complainant, Syed Shukoor Ullah, said, “The song talks about the history of the Prophet, which is forbidden. Being a Muslim, doesn’t the director know that? The director is a black mark to the Muslim community.”
When told that the director has issued a clarification stating that it is a common song in the Malabar region, Syed rebutted, “I have never heard any such song where they talk about the Prophet.”
Jignesh Mevani tweets video on Valentine's Day
It’s Valentine's Day and with Hindu groups calling for a protest against the day, newly elected Gujarat MLA took a dig at them with the flavour of the season – none other than the same viral song Manikya Malaraya Poovi, which depicts young love.
Jignesh Mevani wished his followers a Happy Valentine’s Day and said that the viral hit “is the answer to RSS’s Valentine’s Day protest”. He also added, “Again Indians have proved that they like to love more than hating someone”. He ended the message by posting the video that has taken the Internet by storm in the last few days.
Happy Valentines Day
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) February 14, 2018
Viral hit of ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ is the answer to RSS's Valentines Day protest and Again Indians have proved that they like to love more than hating someone. Enjoy this beautiful video. #ValentinesDay pic.twitter.com/QtWqqqm8zt
Jignesh’s sentiments found resonance with several social media users, with some of them tweeting the newly released teaser of the film to him.
Priya Prakash Varrier, in the meantime, has become a national celebrity, appearing on prime time English news channels and airing her views on love and romance. The first year student from Vimala College, Thrissur, has even beaten Sunny Leone to become the top searched celebrity on Google in India.
Her Instagram following has swollen to over 3 million in just over two days.