‘The Kerala Story contains hate’: Mamata government defends movie ban in Supreme Court

Kerala Story is getting all the love and praise from the audience and its box office collection is proving it to be true. While the film is declared tax-exempt in some states of India, it faced backlash and was banned in several states after several screenings.

One of the states that has banned The Kerala Story is West Bengal and the makers have gone to court against the decision. Now the WB CM Mamta Banerjee has told the Supreme Court that the film is based on manipulated facts and also contains hate speech which may result in general disharmony in the state and affect the law and order situation.

The affidavit issued by the state government also said that after a few initial screenings on the first day, the intelligence agency sent a message to all police departments that the film could cause "violent clash" between "extremist groups".

The TMC-led West Bengal government has also clarified that their order against the film is not aimed at revoking the certification granted by the Censor Board but to protect and safeguard its people.

However, a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud told the West Bengal government that the film, which is releasing in almost all states in the country and West Bengal, is no different from others. “If the film can run peacefully in other parts of the country, why should the state of West Bengal ban the film? if the public does not see that it is worth seeing, they will not see the film,” said the chief justice.

About the story of Kerala

Directed by Sudipto Sen, the film features Adah Sharma in the lead role with Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani and Sonia Balani in supporting roles. Four states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand have declared the film tax-exempt. The film has already crossed the Rs 150 crore mark and is all set to enter the coveted Rs 200 crore club soon.