“Supreme Court Halts Kerala Story Ban, Requires Disclaimer”

The Supreme Court of India has temporarily lifted the ban on the film “The Kerala Story” in West Bengal. The movie, directed by Sudipto Sen, was initially prohibited by the state government due to concerns about potential disruptions to law and order.

However, the court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, emphasized that it is the responsibility of the state to maintain law and order and noted that the film had already received clearance from
the Central Bureau of Film Certification (CBFC) to be screened in theaters.

The court stated, “Prima facie we are of the view that the prohibition by West Bengal is not tenable on the basis of material before. Thus, the order banning the film is stayed,” as quoted by NDTV. “The Kerala Story” and its promotional material claimed to depict the lives of 32,000 women from Kerala who were allegedly forced to convert to Islam and join the terrorist organization ISIS. However, since the filmmakers were unable to provide evidence supporting these claims,

the court has instructed them to include a disclaimer in the film stating that it is a
fictionalized account of events and that there is no data to substantiate the claim about the
32,000 women.
According to reports, several theaters in Tamil Nadu have halted the screening of “The Kerala
Story” due to security concerns. The court has urged the state government to ensure the
smooth exhibition of the film, which features Adah Sharma, and prioritize the safety of
moviegoers.