'As wrong as those who wanted to ban Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaadha': Shabana Azmi slams ban on 'The Kerala Story'
Mumbai: The film "The Kerala Story" has sparked diverse reactions among the public. While some people are praising it, others believe that the film is filled with propaganda. There are even calls for a ban on the film. Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has now expressed her opinion on the matter.
"The Kerala Story," directed by Sudipto Sen and featuring Adah Sharma in the lead role, has faced numerous demands for a ban.
"The Kerala Story", which was released on May 5, depicts the alleged radicalisation and conversion of young Hindu and Christian women to Islam in Kerala and their recruitment into the terrorist organisation Islamic State or ISIS.
Responding strongly to the calls for a ban on the film, veteran actress Shabana Azmi has slammed those making the demand.
Taking to Twitter, Shabana Azmi wrote, “Those who speak of banning #The Kerala Story are as wrong as those who wanted to ban Aamir Khan’s #Laal Singh Chaadha. Once a film has been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification nobody has the right to become an extra-constitutional authority.(sic)” See the tweet here:
Those who speak of banning #The Kerala Story are as wrong as those who wanted to ban Aamir Khan’s #Laal Singh Chaadha. Once a film has been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification nobody has the right to become an extra constitutional authority .
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) May 8, 2023
"The Kerala Story" has been performing well at the box office. On its opening day, May 5, the film grossed Rs 8.03 crore (nett) in India. It continued to attract audiences, and on Day 3, May 7, it is estimated to have earned Rs 16 crore at the domestic box office. As of now, the total collection of "The Kerala Story" in India stands at Rs 35.25 crores.
#TheKeralaStory passes the crucial ‘Monday Test’ with DISTINCTION MARKS… Day 4 [Mon; working day] HIGHER than Day 1 [Fri; holiday]… Will cross ₹ 50 cr today [Tue]… Fri 8.03 cr, Sat 11.22 cr, Sun 16.40 cr [revised], Mon 10.07 cr. Total: ₹ 45.72 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice pic.twitter.com/x3MQUpv9zD
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 9, 2023
On Sunday, Tamil Nadu theatre owners have suspended the screenings of the film 'The Kerala Story' film from Sunday due to concerns over the law-and-order situation after Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), a Tamil nationalist party, organised a protest in Chennai against the release of the film.
The theatre owners said the movie had failed to attract viewers.
However, a day earlier, on May 6 the film was declared tax-free in Madhya Pradesh by the state's BJP government.
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a ban on ‘The Kerala Story’ alleging that the film was a ‘distorted story’.
“What is ‘The Kashmir files’? it is to humiliate one section. What is The Kerala story?... It is a distorted story,” she said.
The ban on the movie came a day after BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh also declared it tax-free.
