Thu Mar 06 08:18:01 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Police Seek Film Industry’s Help to Curb Violence Surge

**Thiruvananthapuram, March 6, 2025** – Kerala Police are collaborating with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) to combat a recent rise in violent crime, particularly among youth. The initiative follows a string of brutal murders, including the killing of five family members and a Class 10 student. Police attribute the increase, in part, to the desensitizing effect of violent films and video games.

In 2025, Kerala saw a significant spike in murders, with 70 reported cases. A concerning 17 involved adolescent rivalries, often mirroring violent portrayals in films and emphasizing hypermasculinity and gang loyalty. Thirty murders occurred within families, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem. Police also cited the normalizing effect of violent video games and the exacerbating factors of drug abuse and alcohol.

The police are not solely focusing on the entertainment industry; their multifaceted approach includes engaging local bodies, parent-teacher associations, and community groups to address the root causes of violence. Dr. Mohan Roy, a consultant psychiatrist, emphasized the role of dysfunctional families and the importance of parental and educational guidance in steering children away from violent media.

Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairperson Prem Kumar criticized filmmakers for using graphic violence to compensate for weak storylines, while the Kerala Film Producers Association secretary B. Rakesh argued that the correlation between onscreen violence and real-world aggression is complex. The CBFC’s recent blocking of a violent Malayalam film from television broadcast underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the portrayal of violence in media. The police initiative aims to leverage the influence of the film industry to promote responsible content and ultimately curb the escalating violence plaguing the state.

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