‘The Kerala Story’: Madras HC Rejects PIL Challenging Film’s Release

The Madras High Court on Thursday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on the release of ‘The Kerala Story’ film.

A vacation bench of Justices AD Jagadish Chandira and C Sarvanan stated that a similar case is already being heard in the Kerala High Court and that the petitioner has approached the Court at “the last hour.”

“What brings you here at this late hour? We could have asked someone to view the movie and decide if you had arrived sooner. Furthermore, you have arrived without having seen the film. The matter is seized before the Kerala High Court,” the Court stated.

The petitioner, Aravindakshan BR, a city-based journalist, moved before the Court stating that the film, which is set to be released in cinemas for public viewing on May 5, is a “propaganda film” made without even basic research.

According to the PIL, the film is likely to disrupt religious unity and public peace in the country.

The PIL stated that the film uses no official sources to support its claim that women from Kerala joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“I submit that neither the Home Ministry nor the intelligence agencies have released such information, and I don’t understand why Sunshine Pictures released a teaser for the film The Kerala Story, claiming it was based on a true story,” the PIL stated.

Therefore, the petition sought the Court to order the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Tamil Nadu government to consider the petitioner’s previous representations to them and put a complete ban on the film’s release.