Bengal bans ‘Kerala Story’ for sake of ‘peace, harmony’

KOLKATA: A day after theatres in Tamil Nadu stopped screening “The Kerala Story” as a “precautionary measure”, the Bengal government on Monday banned the controversial film in a bid to maintain “peace and harmony”. CM Mamata Banerjee dubbed the film a “distorted story” and accused BJP of “defaming the people of Kerala with their narrative”.
In Delhi, Union I&B minister Anurag Thakur accused Mamata of doing “injustice to the sisters and daughters of Bengal by banning the film”.
The film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, said he will “explore legal avenues if the state government doesn’t listen to us”.

The clampdown came even as the film was running across 94 halls in the state --- some to packed houses -- and the theatre-owners said there had been no trouble so far, reports Priyanka Dasgupta.
“The scenes depicted in this movie can be dangerous to the law and order and apprehending this, screening of this movie is banned in Kolkata and all districts. The state took this decision to maintain law and order,” a government release said.
CM Mamata Banerjee slammed the film. “A few days ago, (some) stars, funded by BJP, came to Bengal. They came with some distorted stories, concocted stories, (and) they are preparing a film, Bengal Files.”

The CM further added: “Earlier they had prepared The Kashmir Files to condemn Kashmiris. What is the fault of the people? Now they defame the people in Kerala and the state.”
The Trinamool chief insinuated that Kerala’s governing CPM was not doing enough against the film. “I am talking about people in Kerala. I am not talking about CPM because they are working with BJP. And that BJP is showing The Kerala Story. Instead of me, it was their (CPM’s) duty to criticise it.”

“She should say whether she is standing with those who promote terrorist ideology or is against it,” Union I&B minister Thakur said about the Sudipto Sen-directed film centered on so-called “Love Jihad” and alleged brainwashed girls joining the Islamic State (IS).
According to the film’s local distributor, Satadeep Saha, “there were no reports of any disturbance” since its release on May 5. “We will abide by what the state says,” Saha said.
(With Agency inputs)