While The Kerala Story has been banned in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, it has been made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Although some political parties are opposing ‘The Kerala Story’ by calling it a ‘conspiracy’, and are demanding a ban. When asked about this, Manu Rishi Chadha said that neither the right of expression should be banned nor the right to oppose the film should be banned.
‘Art should not be banned’
Talking to ‘Hindustan Times’, Manu Rishi reacted to the continuous demand for a ban on films like ‘Lal Singh Chaddha’ and ‘The Kerala Story’. He said, ‘I want to answer this as a human being that no art should be banned. Freedom of expression should not be curbed. For this, there should be acceptance among the audience and industry people. It is not necessary that since I am not like this I should not do it. We also play such characters which are very different from us.
‘Do you know the banning faces?’
Manu Rishi further said, ‘Everyone wants importance. When someone stands with a placard demanding a ban, he also gets some importance for a minute or two. But do we know these faces? Or are these bots or fake users on social media? Are these bans effective? Have we stopped making such films? Our big leaders are also saying that stop this drama. Slowly they will understand that they are powerful and they should talk on important issues.
‘Why importance to those demanding ban?’
Manu Rishi said, ‘No one cares to hear ‘Ban’. ‘Pathan’ is the biggest example of this. When such a thing is of no importance, why should we even talk about it? Why should the person demanding the ban be given importance? Some are made according to the censor board and some for rebellion. We should have all such rights and this is called freedom of speech. If someone is trying to stop us, we should keep fighting. Either we will be scared or we will die. But we will keep talking. We will die but we will keep on speaking. If we don’t speak, our next generation will. Those who are demanding ban today, a day will come when they will ask not to ban it. We are all connected to each other, we should respect their anger too. He is using his freedom of expression. Those who are demanding a ban, let them do it. We will not allow these bots to dominate us. This is not a new thing, some people always make noise against the emperor in every era.
The Kerala Story: What the people of Nalanda are saying on The Kerala Story
‘Those who are silent today will surely speak tomorrow’
When Manu Rishi was asked that the big section of the film industry is completely silent on the controversy regarding ‘The Kerala Story’. Is it true? So he said, ‘I am talking about it. Those who are not doing it, it is their choice. Those who are silent, it does not mean that they will not speak tomorrow. Because if the definition of ban is broad, then from the cameraman to the film editor, the entire industry will speak up, everyone will speak up. I promise that those who are silent will speak against it tomorrow.
What is the story of ‘The Kerala Story’
‘The Kerala Story’ claims to be based on a true incident. It has been told that 32 thousand Hindu girls were converted in Kerala and then they joined the terrorist organization ISIS. Controversy is going on on this. The film was released in theaters on 5 May. ‘The Kerala Story’ stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, and Sonia Balani as heroines.