INDIA. West Bengal: West Bengal government has banned director Sudipto Sen’s recently released film ‘The Kerala Story’. The Bengal CM further clarified her move in her official statement, saying, “West Bengal government has decided to ban the movie The Kerala Story. This is to avoid any hatred and violence incident and maintain peace in the state.”
Banerjee claimed that ‘The Kerala Story’ was provoking and controversial; thus, it could threaten communal peace in the state. However, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur reacted to the ban by stating, “It is unfortunate that she banned the movie in West Bengal. Is she trying to take away the rights of people? Is she trying to hide the truth behind the ISIS module? This movie creates awareness and stops these girls from leading into terror.
“All these parties, TMC, Congress, and Left need to answer if they are supporting terrorist organizations. Let me tell you, when Kashmir Files came, they tried to say that this was reality… But look at the Kashmiri Pandits and look at the pain of Kerala girls,” he added.
The movie was banned earlier in Tamil Nadu, but it still earned over ₹45 cr within four days of its release. Meanwhile, filmmaker Sudipto Sen reacted to the recent ban and called it ‘unfortunate’. He further stated during a media interaction, “It is really unfortunate. Didi, without watching the film, how could she decide that it is a threat to law and order? Kolkata has gone and watched the film with wholeheartedness. The first four days have been packed houses, and my film has been announced as an unprecedented blockbuster. Kolkata has seen the film with its heart. Not a single untoward incident has happened. Nobody reported any agitation in front of cinema halls.”
The Kerala Story’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, questioned the Mamata-led administration for banning it even though the censors had given it the green light.
Also Read: The Kerala Story: Adah Sharma’s Film Rules the Box Office on Day 3
