Maranamass Faces Ban in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Over Transgender Content
“Maranamass,” a Malayalam crime thriller directed by Sivaprasad, has been banned in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait due to the inclusion of a transgender character. The Kuwaiti authorities requested the removal of related scenes, while the Saudi censor board implemented a complete ban. The director aims to normalize LGBTQIA+ representation in society through casting practices.
“Maranamass,” directed by debutante Sivaprasad and starring Basil Joseph, has been prohibited from releasing in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Despite its debut in India on April 10, the film will not see screens in these Gulf nations due to controversial content involving a transgender character.
The Saudi censor board has issued a complete ban on the film, while the Kuwaiti authorities have requested the removal of transgender scenes to consider its release. Director Sivaprasad informed that the film’s transgender content was the main reason for the restrictions imposed by these countries.
Sivaprasad emphasized the inclusive casting approach, stating, “We did not look at the gender of the actors before casting them. On the other hand, we also wanted to normalize LGBTQIA+ in society,” as reported by The News Minute.
The film, which received a U/A rating from the Central Board of Film Certification in India, features a narrative centered on a serial killer targeting the city. This film’s inability to release in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait follows earlier controversies, including the banning of director Vineeth Sreenivasan’s “Oru Jaathi Jaathakam” for similar LGBTQIA+ themes.
The banning of “Maranamass” in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait highlights the censorship issues surrounding LGBTQIA+ representation in cinema within conservative regions. The director’s comments reveal a commitment to inclusive casting and the normalization of diverse gender identities. As the global dialogue on representation evolves, the reactions to films like “Maranamass” signal ongoing challenges for filmmakers in addressing such themes in restrictive environments.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
