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| The official poster of The Kerala Story which released on May 5. |
The West Bengal government's recent decision to ban the screening of the film "The Kerala Story" has sparked a wave of reactions from various corners. In the latest development, actor and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member Vani Tripathi has spoken out against the ban, calling it 'undemocratic' and a violation of the audience's democratic rights.
Directed by Sudipto Sen, "The Kerala Story" portrays the harrowing tale of women from Kerala who were forced to convert to Islam and recruited by the terror group ISIS. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cited potential "incidents of hatred and violence" as the reason for the immediate ban on the film's screening in the state.
Vani Tripathi, speaking to News18, criticized the ban, stating that it is the audience's prerogative to decide the fate of a film. She said that neither the government nor any individual has the right to dictate whether a film should be screened or not. Vani emphasized that every film has a right to be certified by the CBFC and that it is the only democratic certification process in the country.
The Producers Guild of India has also condemned the ban on "The Kerala Story." In a statement released on Twitter, they expressed their strong objection to state-enforced bans on films that have complied with statutory requirements. The Producers Guild called for the relevant authorities to address the phenomenon of films being denied their right to unfettered, nationwide exhibition despite meeting regulatory requirements.
Meanwhile, multiplexes across Tamil Nadu have also cancelled screenings of the film, citing law and order issues and poor public response.
The ban on "The Kerala Story" has stirred up a political storm, with supporters and opponents of the decision expressing their views on various platforms. The film stars Adah Sharma and has been produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah's Sunshine Pictures. It was released on May 5 and has already faced obstacles in its journey to reach a wider audience.
As the debate over the film's screening continues, it remains to be seen whether the ban will be lifted or upheld. However, the voices of dissent against the ban have grown louder, with many arguing that the audience has the right to watch and decide on the merits of a film, regardless of its subject matter.