Film Director Ali Akbar says he is threatened for his new film '1921'

There was a controversy over a historical person, Variyankunnu Kunhahammed Haji, a revolutionary and self-imposed sultan of the erstwhile Ernad in Kerala, who according to one section of the people had bravely fought against the British in the freedom struggle but for others had led attack against the Hindus and indulged in bruatal killings, rape and forced conversion into Islam as part of Mappila Lahala.

Everything that is in news these days surrounds two films, one by Ali Akbar and the other by another popular film director Ashiq Abu.

The proposed film by Ashiq Abu, by name “Variyankunnan”, in which the Haji is depicted as a hero who fought daringly against the British. But many a Hindu organizations and the BJP has vehemently been critical of the film as characterising Variyankunnath Kunhahammed Hai as a hero, which according to them was against historical facts.

And, it was aimed at countering Ashiq Abu’s film the Ali Akbar came up with his new film, 1921, in which the Haji is depicted as a villain.

And Ali Akbar says he has been getting abusive and threatening calls from unknown persons since he announced his film countering the other camp.

Through a video in his Facebook page, Ali Akbar has alleged that he was receiving threats and abuses over the phone since he announced his new project. However, he said he will continue with the film and went on to say that he was getting support calls from popular directors and others in the film world.

The video said he got a whopping Rs.16.30 lakh as remittance in his bank account as contributions, ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 50,000, as contributions to fund his film. Thanking the very many who extended support for him, he said the opposition (meaning makers of the other film) were worried over the overwhelming support he was getting.

Ali Akbar also went on to appeal to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to intervene to get the money which has been siphoned off by dupers.

Many miscreants were posting fake messages with fake account number and thus many contributions meant for his film getting duped and remitted to someone’s account, he alleged in the video.