In the event of a group of miscreants damaging the set of Basil Joseph's film 'Minnal Murali' in Kalady in the name of religion, the Kerala Police arrested the prime accused on Monday evening.

The police had arrested an individual named Kari Ratheesh, who allegedly headed the group of vandals. "Kari Ratheesh has a criminal record and there are already 29 cases in his name. We have registered case under IPC sections 34, 149, 153 (a), 379, 454 and 427. The rest will be arrested soon,” said the Police. The police team is now in search of the other four gang members.

The vandalizing of the set, resembling a church, erected by the art team of the Tovino Thomas-starrer ‘Minnal Murali’ on an island on the banks of the Periyar on the outskirts of Kochi was brought to light by Hari Palode, general secretary of the right-wing outfit Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP). Taking to Facebook, Hari shared the pictures of the destroyed set and wrote, “When they were building it, we had said no. We had submitted complaints. We don’t have a habit of pleading so we decided to demolish it. We have to protect our self-respect."

The incident, which drew a sharp reaction from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as well, has sparked angry reactions from all sections of the Malayalam film industry. Actor Tovino Thomas, who plays a local superhero in the film, wrote, “Minnal Murali’s first schedule at Wayanad had been in progress when the set for the second schedule began construction at Kalady. It was carried out by art director Manu Jagad and team, under special instructions by stunt choreographer Vlad Rimburg. For this, we had the rightful permissions from the concerned authorities."

"And as we were about to start shooting in this set – which was built on a considerable cost, the whole country went into lockdown, following which our shoot was paused, just like all others’. It is during this prevailing uncertainty that this contractual set was destroyed by a group of racialists yesterday. The reasons they cite for this unceremonious act are not understood to our senses till now. We’ve heard of movie sets being vandalised by religious fanatics in Northern parts of India. Now, it’s happening to us right here. It has caused us a lot of distress, and even more of anxiety. We have decided to go ahead with the legal proceedings."

The multi-lingual, 'Minnal Murali', directed by Basil Joseph is being bankrolled by Sophia Paul under the banner Weekend Blockbusters.