The DMK government of Tamil Nadu, in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on May 16, said that cinema owners in the state had withdrawn The Kerala Story of their own accord despite adequate security arrangements by the police. The apex court was scheduled to hear the plea of the film’s producer, challenging the ban on the film in West Bengal and shadow ban in Tamil Nadu today (May 17).
Two days before the film’s release on May 5, the intelligence department of Tamil Nadu police had sent out a message to police stations that “there is every possibility that radical elements and members of religious organisations may resort to violent agitation/protest in front of theatres where the said film is released”. The intelligence department urged a ban on the film.
In its affidavit, the state said, “After its release, it appears that multiplex owners took the decision to stop screening the film on May 7 in view of the criticism received by it — lack of well-known actors, poor performances and poor audience response. The state exercises no control over theatre owners’ decision.” It added, “Despite objections and protests from a few Muslim organisations, the film was released in 19 multiplexes throughout the state on May 5. It was heavily criticised, with some Muslim organisations alleging that it spread ‘anti-Muslim hate’ and ‘Islamophobia’ among the common public and has been produced solely with the intent to polarise other religions against Muslims.”
The state also said that there was no evidence of the state government’s involvement in the decision of theatre owners to discontinue screening of the film.