‘The Kerala Story still in classification process…’: Delay in film’s release sparks row in UK

May 16, 2023

New Delhi, May 16 (ANI): The controversies surrounding Sudipto Sen’s ‘The Kerala Story’ refuse to die down. After India, a fresh row erupted in the United Kingdom over the movie’s release, irking netizens awaiting. The screening of the movie which was scheduled to take place on May 12 was postponed.The movie’s launch has been deferred on account of ‘delays’ by the British Board of Film Certification (BBFC). A British cinema operator, Cineworld cited a delay in receiving an age rating for the scheduled release date. The delay in launching the movie has annoyed the people waiting for the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’. Several netizens took to social media platforms to express their anguish over cancelling of screening of the film on May 12. Meanwhile, the BBFC has clarified that the film will be screened after it has received a BBFC age rating and content advice. ‘The Kerala Story’ sparked a massive political debate in India over the ‘content and intent’ of the film. PM Modi had endorsed the movie and said that it ‘exposed the terror conspiracies’ in Kerala. Several BJP-ruled states including UP and Madhya Pradesh made the film based on forceful conversion tax-free. On the other hand, the Mamata Banerjee-led WB Govt banned the movie citing to security concerns over ‘hatred & violence. Denouncing the movie, Kerala CM Pinrayi Vijayan called the movie “hate propaganda” made for “communal polarisation"