‘Vaazha 2’ Controversy: The Liver Doc Backs Savin SA’s Malayalam Comedy-Drama, Calls Film ‘Public Health Activism’ Amid Criticism (View Post)

The Malayalam comedy-drama Vaazha 2: Biopic of a Billion Bros has moved beyond the box office and into a heated medical debate. Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, a prominent hepatologist known online as "The Liver Doc," has publicly defended the film against a legal backlash from the Ayurveda community. The controversy centres on the film's portrayal of liver disease linked to the consumption of traditional herbal formulations, a narrative choice Dr Philips describes as a significant act of "public health activism." ‘Vaazha 2’ OTT Release Date: When and Where To Watch Savin SA’s Blockbuster Malayalam Movie Online After Theatrical Run.

The Liver Doc on ‘Vaazha 2’ Controversy and Public Health Concerns

Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to offer "complete and highest level of academic expertise" to the film’s director, Savin SA, and writer, Vipin Das. His support follows a legal notice issued by the Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI), which claims the film misrepresents traditional medicine. Dr Philips argues that the movie addresses a critical, often ignored, health risk concerning the unregulated use of arishtam, an Ayurvedic herbal preparation that can contain 10% to 15% alcohol.

In a detailed statement, Dr Philips praised the filmmakers for their courage in depicting the fatal consequences of prolonged herbal medicine use. "A recent Malayalam movie, called Vaazha 2, portrayed a character who keeps consuming Ayurvedic medicine and ends with serious fatal liver disease," he noted. "

The people behind the movie are intelligent and well-informed." He further criticised the narrative that herbal medicines are inherently safe, stating that peer-reviewed evidence proves certain formulations can lead to liver failure or the need for transplantation.

LiverDoc Supports ‘Vaazha 2’ Amid Row Over Ayurveda Portrayal - View Post

‘Vaazha 2’ Controversy Explained

The dispute focuses on a specific scene involving the character played by Biju Kuttan. In the film, the character develops severe liver cirrhosis, which the narrative links to the long-term consumption of arishtam without a valid prescription. This portrayal has drawn the ire of the AMAI, which views the scene as a targeted attempt to "create a negative image" of Ayurveda and mislead the public.

The AMAI’s legal notice seeks the removal of the specific scenes, arguing that such depictions undermine the credibility of traditional practices. In response, Dr Philips challenged the association, accusing them of attempting to suppress evidence-based concerns through litigation. He encouraged the makers not to yield to the pressure, characterising the film’s message as a necessary warning about "medical misinformation peddling."

‘Vaazha 2’ Performance and Box Office Impact

Despite the brewing legal battle, Vaazha 2 has emerged as a massive commercial success. Directed by debutant Savin SA and written by Vipin Das, the sequel to the 2024 hit Vaazha has resonated strongly with audiences for its blend of humour and emotional "adulting" themes. Since its release on April 2, 2026, the film has grossed over INR 205 crore worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year so far. ‘Vaazha 2’ Trailer: Alphonse Puthren’s ‘Premam’ Reference Stands Out in Savin SA’s Chaotic and Humour-Filled Glimpse (Watch Video).

The film stars a cast of popular content creators, including Hashir H, Alan Bin Siraj, and Ajin Joy. While Savin SA has declined to comment directly on the legal dispute, the production team has already announced a third instalment, Vaazha 3: Biopic of a Billion Girls, signalling that the franchise remains undeterred by the current friction between the film industry and traditional medical practitioners.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 20, 2026 07:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).