The Kerala Story banned in West Bengal: IMPPA calls it violation of freedom of expression

Kerala Story is currently mired in controversy in some states in India. Protests are being taken out in Tamil Nu against its release. Sudipto Sen directorial has been banned in West Bengal. Now Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) has issued a statement against calls over  film ban. 

As per news agency ANI, IMPPA condemned banning of Kerala Story in West Bengal. IMPPA said that banning of Kerala Story in state is “a serious violation of freedom of expression." re have been polarising views on The Kerala Story, with many praising it while ors condemning it. Check out tweet from IMPPA below.

Producers Guild of India opposes ban on  Kerala Story 

Sudipto Sen directorial, backed by producer Vipul Shah, received some support from Producers Guild of India. In a statement issued by organisation on Twitter, PGI expressed “strong objection” to banning of Kerala Story by certain Indian states. statement re, " Producers Guild of India is distressed by, and would like to record its strong objection to, state-enforced bans on Kerala Story."

It continued, " As emphasized by us on several occasions in past, film releases are regulated by CBFC and any film that complies with this statutory requirement should face no furr hurdles in having paying public decide on its fate. Of course, audience can choose to watch or ignore any film but that is a choice that should be irs to make, not one that is imposed on m by any party or than CBFC. We call upon all relevant authorities to urgently dress this all-too-frequent phenomenon of films being denied ir right to unfettered, nationwide exhibition despite having duly complied with regulatory requirements”. Here is tweet from PGI. 

What is Kerala Story controversy? 

Kerala Story, which features Bollywood actress ah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani, is based on conversions of around 32,000 women to Islam within state of Kerala. It also outlines how women who are converted are n forced into terrorism. film, upon release of its trailer, faced a petition, which sought a stay on its release. petition claimed that film was “worst kind of hate speech” and was purely “audio-visual propaganda.” SC allowed film to release on May 5, as per schedule. 

Kerala Story is also receiving opposition from political parties such as CPI(M) and Congress. Several party affiliates have stated that film is based on a “false claim”. Regardless, film’s producer Vipul Shah and director Sudipto Sen have remained outspoken about bans and protests.