New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the West Bengal Chief Minister’s order to ban the film ‘The Kerala Story’ within the state. The makers of the film had filed a petition before the Supreme Court against the ban on the film.
The court, while staying the order, said, “We are of the view that the prohibition by West Bengal is not tenable on the basis of the material before. Thus the order banning the film is stayed,” reported Bar & Bench.
The apex added that the state is bound to maintain law and order.
The counsel representing the West Bengal government sought that the film run with a disclaimer saying it is a work of fiction.
The court also directed the makers to make sure a disclaimer saying that the film is a fictionalised version of the events is clearly there regarding the ‘32,000’ figure claimed in the film.
To which the senior advocate representing the makers of the film read out the disclaimer which will be added, “there is no authentic data to back up the suggestion that the figure of conversions is 32,000 or any other established figure” and “the film represents the fictionalised version”
Addressing the makers’ plea in Tamil Nadu, the court accepted the state’s argument that there had been no express or implied ban on the movie’s showing within its borders.
The court directed, “While recording this, we direct that adequate security shall be provided to every cinema hall and requisite arrangements shall be made to ensure the safety of moviegoers. No express steps, whether tacit or otherwise, shall be taken to prevent the screening of the film.”
The film had been in controversy for allegedly spreading propaganda and had been banned by the West Bengal government on May 8, citing reasons to maintain peace and prevent any hate crimes and violence from happening.
The film has been doing exceptionally well at the box office and has become one of the highest-grossing films of 2023. It has till now earned over Rs. 164 crore and is not looking to slow down anytime soon.