Priya Prakash Varrier aka ‘winking girl’ moves Supreme Court, seeks stay on criminal proceedings in ‘Oru Adaar Love’ case

India’s newest crush Priya Prakash Varrier, who become an internet sensation with a clip showing her winking, has approached the Supreme Court. Priya has filed a PIL over a case registered against the song Manikya Malaraya Puvi from film ‘Oru Adaar Love’ in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana.

In a plea submitted before the apex court, her counsel requested the court to list the matter for urgent hearing. The petition is expected to be taken up tomorrow by the bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra. According to News18, Priya said the case violates Freedom of Speech and Expression. Not just Priya, but director Omar Lulu has also approached the SC.

According to India Today, “The criminal complaints have been instituted by various fringe groups based on a distorted and incorrect interpretation of the Song in the states of Telangana, Maharashtra and similar complaints are likely from other non-Malayalam speaking states as well,” Priya and Omar said in their petition”.

FIRs have been registered against Varrier and the makers of the Malayalam film in Telangana and Maharashtra for allegedly hurting the sentiments of a community. The first complaint was registered in Hyderabad by a student against the film’s director, Omar Lulu, alleging that a song from the film showed Prophet Mohammad in poor light. It is being alleged that the lyrics of the song, Manikya Malaraya Poovi, carry derogatory references to the Prophet and his wife.

Last week, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan defended the song and stated that the complaint against it is “not accidental”, and shows the growing intolerance towards freedom of art and free thought.