Union Minister Suresh Gopi acknowledged on Saturday that cinema may have some influence on societal violence but argued that movies are not the root cause. Gopi, who serves as the Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism, emphasized the importance of understanding films rather than merely watching them.

Responding to questions about the role of cinema in rising violence, Gopi, who is also an actor, stated that he could not advocate for reducing violent content in films. Instead, he urged audiences to recognize that such portrayals are not meant for entertainment but rather as a lesson that such acts are harmful. “Don’t just see the film, understand the film,” he remarked.

His comments come amid growing debate after senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala claimed that Malayalam action films like RDX and Marco were encouraging youth violence.

Gopi also spoke about the broader issue of youth well-being, emphasizing that every child is an asset to the nation. He urged political parties, governments, and citizens to work collectively to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children so they can reach their full potential.

"Each child is born into the family called nation. None of them should be lost," he said, referencing the recent death of 16-year-old Muhammed Shahabas, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a student clash near a private tuition centre in Kozhikode.

The incident has sparked concerns about rising violence among youth, reigniting discussions on the role of cinema in shaping societal behaviour.