Ban on The Kerala Story is Mamata's double standard, says filmmaker Sudipto Sen
Kolkata/IBNS: Filmmaker Sudipto Sen, whose The Kerala Story courted controversy over its subject and factual claims but went on to become a top grosser nationwide, on Friday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for banning the film, calling her action a "double standard".

A day after the Supreme Court stayed the ban on the film, Sen, who was in the city, said, "We all have political thoughts and ideologies but we need to overcome that due to professional compulsions. As a filmmaker, I am responsible to serve all the political parties of this country and all political ideologies of the world. It is very sad and wrong to ban a film without even watching it."
"I remember Mahua Moitra (MP from Mamata's Trinamool Congress) led the criticisms against the ban on the BBC documentary (on Modi and Gujarat riots). I clearly remember Mamata Banerjee was the first to raise her voice against the call to ban Padmavaat," Sen said.
"Now what are our faults that The Kerala Story has been banned? I feel this is a double standard which is not serving any good purpose in our Indian politics," the filmmaker added.
The Kerala Story, starring Adah Sharma in one of the leads, 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.
Mamata Banerjee, who accuses the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of curtailing freedom of speech, had put a ban calling the film "a distorted story" earning criticisms from even the Left and Congress.
While justifying its stand on banning The Kerala Story in the state, the West Bengal government told the Supreme Court that the film may hurt communal sentiments and cause disharmony between the communities which can lead to law and order issues.
Passing a stay order, the top court on Thursday said, "Law cannot be used to put a premium on public intolerance, otherwise all films will land in the same spot."
However even on Friday, the film was not shown in any hall of the state despite the stay on the ban.
"We came to Kolkata hoping the film will be screened. But no show yet is very sad and surprising to all of us," said Sen.
(Photography: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

Irina Rudakova crowned winner of Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2
The grand finale of Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2 had viewers on the edge of their seats as Irina Rudakova emerged as the ultimate winner, taking home the trophy and a grand prize of ₹15 lakh.

Pavitra Punia makes surprise entry into Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2
The tension hit new heights in the latest semi-finale episode of Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2, where a jaw-dropping twist left everyone stunned.

'Qubool hai': 'Dangal' actress Zaira Wasim, who quit films for religion, gets married
Former Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim, who had grabbed a massive public attention for her roles in Dangal and Secret Superstar, has announced her marriage on social media.

Celebrate Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday: PVR Inox announces special two-week film festival
Shah Rukh Khan, India's beloved superstar, who has won hearts with his charismatic and flamboyant screen presence in numerous box office successes over the decades, will turn 60 next month.
Latest News

28 JNU students, including JNUSU president, detained after clash during protest against ABVP violence

Cancelled Air India Delhi flight from Italy leaves hundreds stranded ahead of Diwali

8 pilgrims killed as bus plunges into ravine in Maharashtra

'India working on 2 nm chip, working on most advanced tech in the world': Ashwini Vaishnaw
