CM Mamata Banerjee bans Sudipto Sen's The Kerala Story in West Bengal

The controversy around The Kerala Story refuses to die down. On Monday, the government of the Indian state of West Bengal banned the Sudipto Sen-directed film.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her decision today, saying that they have taken this decision to maintain peace and avoid any incidents of hatred in the state. CM Banerjee said, ''This is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the state."

She added further, "What is ‘The Kashmir Files?' It is to humiliate one section. What is ‘The Kerala Story'?It is a distorted story. ''She has also asked the state chief secretary to make sure that the film is pulled down from all the theatres where it is running in the state.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Ever since the first trailer for the film dropped, the movie has become a hot topic in the entire country. Helmed by Sudipto Sen, the film, which is said to be inspired by true events, is set in Kerala and revolves around a group of college-going girls who are converted to Islam and sent to the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The movie stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, Pranay Pachuri, and Chandra Shekhar Dutta, among others, in pivotal roles. The movie has received severe backlash from a particular section of society, who haveclaimed that the film was only made to spread hatred. Many political leaders echo the same view.

Despite all the backlashthe film has received, it opened to a great response from the audience. Within three days of its release, the film has collected Rs 35 crore at the domestic box office.

Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, ''#TheKeralaStory is UNSTOPPABLE and UNSHAKABLE... PHENOMENAL biz on Day 2 and 3 makes it a SMASH-HIT… Withstands two mighty opponents: #Hollywood film #GotGVol3 and #IPL2023… Fri 8.03 cr, Sat 11.22 cr, Sun 16 cr. Total: ₹ 35.25 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice