Hours after the Supreme Court blocked the West Bengal government’s ban on The Kerala Story, directors and film producers reacted to the development. Vipur Amrtral Shah, who backed the film and was also the creative director, urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to watch the film with the team. Meanwhile, director Sudipto Sen called the ban “illegal” and praised the Supreme Court’s ruling. Also read: Director Mamata Banerjee announces ban on ‘Kerala Story’ in West Bengal, film producers react
Vipur told news agency ANI: “I would like to tell Mamata Didi to join hands and watch this movie together and discuss if you find something like that. We will tell her. We would like to listen to all valid criticisms of the We can discuss the differences between the two, and this is my request, so please wait.”
“No state can ban a film that has passed a censorship board. We have always trusted the Supreme Court… support us, including the people of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu who have reached out to me. Thank you to everyone who has done so, they can see the film tomorrow,” Sudipto Sen added.
On May 8, Mamata Banerjee announced the ban of ‘Kerala Story’ in the state. She said, “The government of West Bengal has decided to ban the screening of the film ‘Story of Kerala’ in order to avoid any incidents of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the state.” The film has been pulled from theaters in Tamil Nadu.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld a ban in West Bengal, saying the film was a “fictional version” and claims that 32,000 Hindu and Christian girls converted to Islam had no real data. I asked the producer to include a disclaimer. The film is currently set to hit theaters in West Bengal. The court also called on Tamil Nadu to ensure all security measures for moviegoers.
‘The Kerala Story’ stars Adha Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Bharani. Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipur Amrtral Shah, the film has sparked massive political controversy since the release of its trailer, with many calling it a propaganda film.
