PremiumThe Kerala Story: Tamil Nadu multiplexes stop screening of Sudipto Sen and Adah Sharma's controversial film
The stand-alone theatres in the state had already refrained from screening the film
Last Updated: 01.38 PM, May 07, 2023
The Tamil Nadu Multiplex Association announced yesterday that there will be no more shows for the controversial film The Kerala Story in the state. The association cited lack of reception from the public and potential law and order issues and hence, decided to cancel all the shows. Those who have already booked for the shows, will have their money refunded.
Interestingly, the stand-alone theatres in the state had already refrained from screening the film citing law and order issues. Ever since the movie was released on Friday in the state, a number of protests were held against the Islamophobic content in the film. The Naam Tamilar Katchi cadres were the latest to hold a protest outside a multiplex in Anna Nagar, Chennai. Their leader Seeman had called for a complete ban against the film and claimed that the film would create communal disharmony.
In Coimbatore, The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam and Social Democratic Party of India had raised slogans against the release of the film. The Kerala Story was being screened only in three multiplexes in the district. Heavy security was deployed outside the screens and every visitor to the mall was frisked and checked thoroughly. As many as 100 plus protestors were arrested, according to the police. Shows across Salem, too, were cancelled after protests marred the screening.
With this decision, it looks like there will be no more shows for the film, directed by Sudipto Sen in the state. The Kerala Story has been mired in controversy ever since a teaser of the film claimed that at least 32,000 women from Kerala had joined the terrorist organisation The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The film had faced severe backlash for its unverified claims and the makers had tweaked the trailer to 'story of three young women from Kerala', instead of 32,000.
The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan had called the film a complete propaganda of the Sangh Parivar, which led to the othering of Muslims and showing the state as a hotbed of terrorism. Many shows across Kerala have been cancelled, too.