Cinema VinesA comment on social media has thrust the forthcoming film Operation Tral into a political firestorm before its theatrical release. The film, directed by music composer‑turned‑filmmaker Ratheesh Vega and produced by Goodwill Entertainments, stars Jayasurya as a key National Investigation Agency officer fighting terrorist forces. The teaser, unveiled last week, has already sparked buzz, but a remark by sound designer Ajayan Adat has ignited a debate about the movie’s political undertones.
The controversy began when fellow sound designer Vignesh RK shared the teaser online. Ajayan Adat replied with a vulgar Malayalam phrase that translates to “RSS sh*t.” The makers of Operation Tral lodged an objection with the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and filed a written complaint with the Cine Audiographers Association of Kerala (CAAK), an affiliate of FEFKA. In a statement, the production team emphasized that the film is not a political propaganda piece but a story inspired by real events, intended to honour the courage and sacrifices of those who protect the country.
Adat has refused to retract his comment, arguing that the filmmakers are using the controversy as a PR stunt. He maintains that the teaser suggests a political agenda and portrays Muslims negatively. “We have seen several propaganda films in the past to know what the intention here is,” he said. He also defended the language he used, noting that it is common among youngsters during the CJP protests and that he has long been vocal against the RSS on social media. Adat claims he has faced abuse and threats from RSS affiliates and urges that the situation be handled professionally rather than turned into a PR campaign.
CAAK distanced itself from the issue, stating that the remarks were made on a social media platform and likely stemmed from differing political views. Attempts by Onmanorama to contact actor Jayasurya and director Ratheesh Vega for comment were unsuccessful. The incident highlights the growing sensitivity around political references in entertainment and the potential fallout when creators and artists express dissenting views publicly.
