Though the investigation in the Koodathayi alleged murders is yet to be concluded, Malayalam filmmakers wasted no time in announcing new projects on the sensational case which has rocked Kerala.
Less than a week after the deaths made headlines, producer Antony Perumbavoor announced a new crime-drama project, with Mohanlal as the investigating officer, and filmmaker Dini Daniel announced Koodathayi - the title of her new movie where she will play ‘Dolly’, the alleged serial killer.
However, it looks like the small screen industry in Malayalam has outpaced the eager filmmakers when it comes to cashing in on the mysterious deaths.
On Friday, Malayalam channel Kairali News, released the promo of Krithyam, a fresh crime-thriller series which will be the latest addition to the prime time entertainment schedule of Kairali TV.
Krithyam - a battle between life and death, which will begin on October 21 and be aired at 8 pm from Monday to Friday, is about multiple murders in a Kerala Christian family and a 45-year-old woman at the centre of it.
The lead actor and alleged serial murderer, is introduced as ‘Solly’ and her alleged victims are ‘Susamma’ - who died in 2002, ‘Thomas’ - who died in 2008, ‘Joy Thomas’ - who died in 2011. An elderly man introduced as ‘Sunny’ is the fourth victim who died in 2014 along with the fifth victim - a baby named ‘Ann Maria’ who also died in the same year. The last victim who died in 2016 is named ‘Laly’.
From the 1 minute 19 second series trailer, Krithyam’s plot as well as the names of the characters seem to bear overwhelming similarities to that of the Koodathayi serial deaths.
In the real life alleged serial murders which took place in Kozhikode, 47-year-old Jolly Amma Joseph is the prime suspect. In 2002, she allegedly murdered her former mother-in-law Annamma Thomas by poisoning her. Her next five alleged victims include former father-in-law Tom Thomas who died in 2008, husband Roy Thomas who died in 2011, uncle Mathew Manjadiyil who died in 2014, baby Alphine - a 2-year-old relative of Tom’s who died in 2014 and Alphine’s mother Cily who died in 2016. Jolly is believed to have poisoned five of her alleged victims with cyanide.
While one could argue that the Koodathayi deaths make good material for TV shows and movies, the ethical and legal aspects of the case at this stage should have held back content creators from indulging the public's voyeurism.
So far, traces of cyanide have only been found in the body of Roy Thomas, Jolly’s first husband, who passed away mysteriously in 2011. In order to establish evidence in the case, the police will need to confirm traces of cyanide in the rest of the alleged victims whose bodies have been exhumed and trace Jolly’s call logs and movements to prove that she had indeed been involved in these murders.
Speaking to TNM, top criminal lawyer BA Aloor who is representing Jolly Joseph in the case, pointed out the human rights violations that such scenarios could throw up.
“Jolly is still an accused. There is no solid evidence to convict her. So how can the media project her in a such a prejudiced manner? The court should examine the evidence and decide if she is guilty. Until she is found guilty by the court of law, Jolly is innocent. Painting her in any other way amounts to human rights violation,” he said.
When TNM contacted Kairali TV, its director of Programmes, Unni Cherian, denied that Krithyam storyline had any resemblance to the Koodathayi serial deaths.
“The series is yet to be aired. Once you see the show, you will realise that it is not similar to the Koodathayi case. Of course this is a story and stories will always reflect real life. Therefore, somebody or the other will claim that there are similarities. But we did not write it keeping in mind the Koodathayi deaths,” Cherian added.
Watch the trailer of ‘Krithyam’ here: