Old Video Of Asaduddin Owaisi Criticising Film Makers Goes Viral Amid ‘Udaipur Files’ Row

A video allegedly showing AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi’s fierce attack on the producers of ‘Udaipur Files,’ a movie based on the murder of Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal, has gone viral on social media platforms. Lal was allegedly killed by Mohammad Riyaz Attari and Gaus Mohammad in June 2022 for posting on social media in support of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma following her controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. 

In the viral clip, Owaisi is purportedly heard saying, “You film makers, how long will you keep licking the spit of Muslims? …why don’t you make films about unemployment in the country?…how much unemployment is there in India? Go and make a film about it. You won’t do it, because if you do, your father Modi will get angry.”

Multiple users shared the video claiming to show the AIMIM leader’s “strong speech” for the makers of ‘Udaipur Files.’ Newschecker, however, found the same to be false.

Such posts can be seen here and here. 

Also Read: Indian News Outlets Misidentify Scrap Trader Brutally Murdered In Dhaka As Hindu

SC Defers ‘Udaipur Files’ Case Hearing To July 21 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 16) deferred the hearing on the release of ‘Udaipur Files’ to July 21, and asked the filmmakers to await the decision of the panel appointed by the Centre to hear objections against the movie.

The film was scheduled to be released on July 11. However, the Delhi High Court on July 10 had stayed its release till the Centre decides on pleas seeking a permanent ban over the film’s potential to “promote disharmony” in society

Fact Check/Verification

A keyword search for “Asaduddin Owaisi” and “Udaipur Files” on Google did not yield any relevant reports. We did not find any recent posts on the official X and Facebook profiles of Owaisi carrying the viral clip either.

We then conducted a reverse image search on the key frames from the viral footage, which led us to a YouTube video by the official channel of the AIMIM, live streamed on May 26, 2024, showing Owaisi addressing a public meeting in support of AIMIM candidate Farooq Raza at Vishwanath High School Ground Chandos-Paliganj Patna, Bihar.

The video featured Owaisi in the same attire and carried the background as seen in the viral clip. We skimmed through the entire video, and around 31 minutes heard him say that ever since the BJP came to power, films under the name of ‘Love Jihad’ have been produced to defame Muslims. He also mentions ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Kerala Story.’

Thirty one minutes and thirty four seconds into the video, we spotted the now-viral portion where Owaisi is heard questioning the film producers, confirming that his remarks were unrelated to the recent controversy over ‘Udaipur Files.’

The same was live streamed on the official Facebook account of Owaisi in May 2024, and can be seen here.

Also Read: Video Of Old Anti-Waqf Act Rally in Tamil Nadu Shared As Protest Against ‘Udaipur Files’

Conclusion

Hence, we find that an old video of Asaduddin Owaisi criticising film makers has been falsely linked to the recent controversy of ‘Udaipur Files.’

Sources
YouTube Video By AIMIM, Dated May 26, 2024
Facebook Post By Asaduddin Owaisi, Dated May 26, 2024