Restrictions can't be imposed directly or indirectly on exhibition of 'The Kerala Story': Filmmaker's lawyer

New Delhi [India], May 18 : After the Supreme Court stayed the order of the West Bengal government banning the screening of the film 'The Kerala Story' across the state, the lawyer of filmmaker Sudipto Sen said that there cannot be direct or indirect restrictions on the exhibition of the film.

"Today we have the stay on the ban imposed by West Bengal. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the statement is recorded. So the exhibition can go on the Tamil Nadu basis today by the council and there can't be direct or indirect restrictions on the exhibition of the film. The matter is all posted and they reopen on July 18. Protection will be provided to those who wanted to watch the film," Ameet Naik said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the order of the West Bengal government banning the screening of the film 'The Kerala Story' across the state.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala took into the record the assurance of the Tamil Nadu government that there is no direct or indirect ban on the film.

It directed the Tamil Nadu government that adequate security shall be provided to every cinema hall and requisite arrangements shall be made to ensure the safety of moviegoers.

West Bengal on May 8 had imposed a ban on screening of the film in the State to avoid "any incident of hatred and violence and to maintain peace in the State".

"Prima facie we are of the view that the prohibition by West Bengal is not tenable on the basis of material before. Thus the order banning the film is stayed," the bench said in its order.

With regard to Tamil Nadu, the bench in its order stated, "We direct that adequate security shall be provided to every cinema hall and requisite arrangement shall be made to ensure the safety of moviegoers. No express steps whether tacit etc. shall be taken to prevent the screening of the film."

It further asked the filmmakers to ensure that the movie carries a proper disclaimer.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for film producers, assured the bench that disclaimer will contain that film is a fictionalised version of events and there is no authentic data to back up the figure of conversion (of women to Islam) is 32,000.

To set the controversy aside, the disclaimer shall be added by 5 pm on May 20, said the senior counsel.

Salve added that filmmakers have videos and interviews of girls on the basis of which movie is made.

Regarding the challenge to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certification of the film, the bench posted the matter for hearing on July 18 saying it would first have to see the movie for that.

Chief Justice said that the court will define the doctrine and lay down what is permissible and what is not.

"We will see the film and decide," the bench added.

The film depicts how thousands of young women were allegedly brainwashed into joining the Islamic State (IS) and heading off to countries like Syria and Afghanistan.

'The Kerala Story', starring Adah Sharma, was released in cinemas on May 5.

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