Despite the Supreme Court lifting the ban on the much talked about film ‘The Kerala Story’ in West Bengal, the film was not releasing due to threat calls being received by theater owners. Now, finally, the film has found a theater in the state, according to its music director, who hails from West Bengal. The film’s music director Bishakh Jyoti told ETimes that Kerala Story was being screened at a single-screen theater in Bangaon, North 24 Parganas. Bishakh Jyoti said, “I am very happy that a cinema hall in my city is showing our film, whereas most of the halls in Bengal are still reluctant to give space to The Kerala Story.”
He also mentioned that the makers claim that the distributors are facing threats for not screening the film. “I have heard that distributors and hall owners are getting calls asking not to screen the film. I think not only Shrima but probably some other theatres, especially single-screen theatres, have also started showing the film. We hope that soon it will be screened in many more halls of West Bengal.
Earlier, the West Bengal government had decided to ban the recently released film ‘The Kerala Story’. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, “This is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the state.” Ever since the trailer of the film was released, there has been a lot of controversy about it. It has been strongly opposed in many states. The Chief Minister of Bengal also directed the Chief Secretary of the state to ensure that the film is removed from the running screens in the state.
The Kerala Story starring Adah Sharma grabbed headlines upon its release, mired in a web of controversies. Despite facing calls for a ban, protests and an ongoing uproar, the film managed to rake in a staggering Rs 200 crore within just 18 days of its release. Directed by Sudipto Sen, the film highlights the forced conversion and recruitment of Kerala women by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS).
Read also: Adah Sharma says Kerala Story is the first female lead film to cross Rs 200 crore