Theatre owners in Tamil Nadu have decided not to screen the controversial movie “The Kerala Story,” which is facing opposition to its release. Several online ticket-booking platforms have already removed it from their Chennai listings. The decision was made because the screening of the film could affect other movies in multiplexes, causing financial losses to theatre owners. At present, thirteen theatres are screening the film in the state.
“The Kerala Story” is largely distributed by Red Giant Movies in Tamil Nadu, which has close links with the ruling DMK. Although the Tamil Nadu government has not banned the film, the screening of the movie has been controversial, with Muslim organizations calling for a ban on the film, alleging that it made an exaggerated claim that 32,000 Hindu and Christian women in Kerala have converted and got lured into joining the terror organization ISIS.
Right-wing groups have demanded that the film be screened, claiming that it is close to the truth. The ruling Left Front in Kerala has argued that the film humiliates the southern state and will spread communal hatred. The portrayal of Kerala in the movie is false, and there is an ulterior motive behind it, according to the ruling Left and the opposition Congress.
The decision by theatre owners not to screen the movie came days after the Madras High Court dismissed a plea seeking a ban on the film earlier this week. A promo of the movie that claimed 32,000 women from Kerala had joined ISIS has been changed to “true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala” after the film’s producers faced criticism for wrongly projecting facts.
“The Kerala Story” is directed by Mahesh Narayanan, who is known for his critically acclaimed films “Take Off” and “C U Soon.” The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Pratap K. Pothen, Roshan Mathew, and others. The decision by theatre owners not to screen the film has raised concerns about the freedom of expression and the ability to tell stories that challenge the status quo.
