West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Banned 'The Kerala Story,' Alleges BJP Planning 'Bengal Files' Sparks Controversy.

The controversial film, 'The Kerala Story,' has been banned from being screened in theatres by the West Bengal government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the movie as a distorted and defamatory depiction of the southern state and stated that the ban was necessary to avoid any incidents of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the state. Film producer Vipul Shah has threatened legal action against the ban. Any theatre found screening the movie will face legal consequences.

The film, which stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani, has faced protests across the country due to its storyline. The movie was pulled from theatres in Tamil Nadu as well. The controversy began when the movie trailer claimed that 32,000 women from Kerala had gone missing and joined the terrorist group ISIS. Many political leaders questioned the accuracy of this claim, triggering a heated political debate.

Despite the ban, the movie has earned over ₹35 crore at the domestic box office since its release on May 5. On the third day of its release, it collected ₹16 crore. The controversy surrounding the film has made it a topic of national discussion, and the ban has added to the ongoing debate on the freedom of expression and censorship in India.

The decision to ban the movie has been met with mixed reactions, with some supporting the government's decision to maintain peace and order in the state, while others criticize it as an infringement on artistic freedom. The controversy surrounding 'The Kerala Story' highlights the delicate balance between artistic freedom and social responsibility in the film industry.