The Kerala Story was prohibited by the West Bengal state administration on May 8 because they believed it may sour inter-communal relations.
At the box office, The Kerala Story has proven to be 2023’s biggest surprise. The movie has done exceptionally well financially, earning over 200 crores in India despite its lack of star power. On the other hand, it has recently emerged as one of the most contentious issues. Even a few Indian states, such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, banned it.
The West Bengal state government outlawed TKS on May 8 on the grounds that it might sour intercommunal harmony. The Supreme Court, however, reversed the judgment. Even so, the movie is only being shown in one venue in the state.
According to the Eastern India Motion Picture Association (EIMPA), West Bengal only has one venue where The Kerala Story is showing. The movie theatre is located in Bongaon, not far from the Bangladesh-India border. It’s interesting that the movie has the notice “Narratives are based on fictional accounts” before it is broadcast. According to PTI, the movie is doing well.
In the meantime, Muslim activists recently invaded a showing of The Kerala Story in Birmingham, which has caused controversy in India amid concerns that it shatters interreligious cooperation. According to the Daily Mail, a group of demonstrators led by Kashmiri activist Shakeel Afsar interfered with a movie showing at a Birmingham Cineworld multiplex.
A 10-minute video footage posted on the British Muslim news website “5Pillars” showed Afsar, 35, escorting a crowd of protesters into the theatre, which stopped the movie. In the video, Afsar and at least two other people approach the theatre manager to discuss the movie’s ‘Islamophobic’ content.
