From 'Pani' to 'Marco': Kerala debates impact of glamourisation of crimes in films

Thiruvananthapuram: The brutal killing of five family members by a youth in Thiruvananthapuram has triggered debates on the influence of violence-packed films on the youths.

While a Christian bishop raised concerns as he was speaking at a public function on Wednesday, police sources said that 23-year-old Afan, who is accused of killing five persons in Thiruvananthapuram, used to watch films and a recent Malayalam film packed with violence was among the films he watched recently.

"At this point we can't conclusively say that the said movie influenced him to do this crime. But it is a fact that what a person sees and eats are influencing factors," said the police officer.

Mar Jose Pulickal, bishop of Kanjirapally diocese in Kottayam district, said on Wednesday that celebrating violence in films was leading to serious consequences. "Recent Malayalam films Marco and Pani glorify violence. Such films could prove to be a factor attracting youth towards violence. The matter has to be taken seriously," he said while addressing a public meeting of the anti-liquor forum of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council.

Senior psychiatrist Dr Arun B Nair said that the increasing instances of youngsters violently reacting to silly issues could be the outcome of influence of visual media, like cinemas, social media contents and video games, among various other factors. "In the film Pani, the youngsters who play the lead roles are indulging in brutal killings and violence. The chances of such movies influencing youths can't be ruled out," said Dr Arun, who is a professor of psychiatry at the Thiruvananthapuram government medical college.

Inspector general of police - south zone S Syamsundar said that so far there is no conclusive evidence of violence of any films influencing the Thiruvananthapuram serial killing accused. A detailed quizzing of the accused could not be carried out yet as he is under treatment. But generally the chances of violence in films influencing youngsters could not be ruled out totally, he said.

While the actor and director of the film Pani Joju George was not available for comments, director of the film Marco Haneef Adeni preferred not to comment on the matter.

Pani tells the story of two youngsters with criminal inclination and Unni Mukunda-starrer action thriller Marco tells the story of a person's rampage to take revenge for his brother's killing.

Debt angle suspected in serial killing

Meanwhile, the police are also suspecting debt angle in the serial killing in Thiruvananthapuram.

The family was found to be owing around Rs 60 lakh to various persons and institutions and was under pressure for repayment. A portion of the money was sent abroad to Afan's father Rahim, who is also held up in Saudi Arabia after his business collapsed.

Afan murdered his brother, grandmother, girlfriend, father's brother and his wife at Venjaramoodu on the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. He also attacked his mother with the intention to kill and consumed rat poison. Both of them are now under treatment.