Tamil Nadu stops screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ after protests

Posted By: Shweta Khandal

Posted On: May 7, 2023

The Theatres in Tamil Nadu Stop Screening ‘The Kerala Story’ Amid Poor Reviews and Protests

‘The Kerala Story’ is a Sudipto Sen-directed movie that has caused controversy and mixed reactions in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The film’s plot revolves around religious conversion and alleged terrorist activities in Kerala. Despite earning around ₹20 crore in two days, the film’s screening has been stopped in Tamil Nadu after poor reviews and protests from various groups.

President of Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association, M Subramaniam, said that the film was screened in some multiplexes, but it did not do well on the two days. As a result, the theatres decided that it was not worth continuing the screening. Furthermore, most locally-owned multiplexes had already decided not to show the film, as it did not feature popular stars. In Coimbatore, for example, there were only two shows – one on Friday and one on Saturday – both of which did not perform well. The decision to stop the screening was made to avoid the threat of protests and other disturbances.

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) staged a protest against the release of ‘The Kerala Story’ in Chennai. The party is known for advocating Tamil nationalism and opposing the Indian government’s Hindi imposition. Their protests were based on the film’s alleged portrayal of Tamil Nadu as a hub for religious conversion.

The screening halt in Tamil Nadu came at a time when some states are offering a tax-free screening of the film. For instance, a legislator in Uttar Pradesh organized a free screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ for college-going girls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also credited the film for bringing out terror conspiracies. The Madhya Pradesh government even decided to give tax-free status to ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state.

“We have already made a law against religious conversion in Madhya Pradesh. Since this film creates awareness, everyone should watch this film. Parents, children, and daughters should watch it. That’s why the Madhya Pradesh government is giving tax-free status to the movie ‘The Kerala Story’,” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

Overall, the movie’s poor performance in Tamil Nadu can be attributed to the lack of star power, negative reviews, and protests. Despite this, the film’s controversial themes have sparked interest in other regions of India.

The Controversy Surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’

The Sudipto Sen-directed film ‘The Kerala Story’ has been the center of controversy since its release. The movie’s plot revolves around religious conversion and alleged terrorist activities in Kerala. This has led to accusations of spreading communal hatred and portraying the state of Tamil Nadu in a negative light.

The film has received mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike. Many have praised its bold take on sensitive issues, while others have criticized it for promoting a particular ideology. Regardless of its intent, the movie’s controversy has drawn attention to the issues of religious conversion and terrorism.

Poor Reviews and Protests

Despite earning around ₹20 crore in two days, ‘The Kerala Story’ received poor reviews and faced protests from various groups. Many Tamil Nadu residents have criticized the film for its portrayal of the state as a hub for religious conversion. Furthermore, the lack of popular stars in the movie has also contributed to its poor performance.

The President of Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association, M Subramaniam, stated that the film’s screening was stopped due to poor reviews and ongoing protests. While the movie was screened in a few multiplexes owned by pan-India groups, locally-owned multiplexes had already decided not to show the film.

Tax-Free in Some States: ‘The Kerala Story’ Gets a Boost

Tax-free status is a boon for films that want to reach a wider audience in India. Some states have taken the initiative to promote ‘The Kerala Story’, a film that has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of terror conspiracies. While the Tamil Nadu government halted the screening of the film, some states are offering a tax-free screening, with a legislator in Uttar Pradesh also organizing a free screening of the film for college-going girls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged the film for bringing out the reality of terror conspiracies. Madhya Pradesh government has gone a step further by giving tax-free status to ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state. The film creates awareness about religious conversions and their impact on society. The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Everyone should watch this film. Parents, children, and daughters should watch it. That’s why the Madhya Pradesh government is giving tax-free status to the movie ‘The Kerala Story’.”

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