Controversies and rows of cancellations continue to hover over Sudipto Sen’s ‘The Kerala Story’. The film was all set to screen in the United Kingdom on May 12 however, the movies’s launch has been deferred supposedly on account of delays brought on by the British Board of Film Certification (BBFC).
The people waiting for the films have shown disappointment on social media platforms. In response to a tweet by one ‘DesiDiva’, Cineworld, a British cinema operator said that the screening of The Kerala Story has been cancelled as the film did not receive an age rating on time.
Hi, we are sorry that the upcoming performances of The Kerala Story have been cancelled. This is due to the film not receiving an age rating in time for the scheduled release date, all affected customers will be contacted and refunded. Apologies for any disappointment caused.
— Cineworld (@cineworld) May 12, 2023
The response was, “Hi, we are sorry that the upcoming performances of The Kerala Story have been cancelled. This is due to the film not receiving an age rating in time for the scheduled release date, all affected customers will be contacted and refunded. Apologies for any disappointment caused,” Cineworld tweeted.
Taking to Twitter, the BBFC stated that The Kerala Story remains to be going by way of its classification course of including that the movie might be accessible for screening within the UK after receiving age ranking and content material recommendation.
The Kerala Story is still going through our classification process. Once the film has received a BBFC age rating and content advice, it will be available to be screened in UK cinemas. 1/2
— BBFC (@BBFC) May 12, 2023
“The Kerala Story is still going through our classification process. Once the film has received a BBFC age rating and content advice, it will be available to be screened in UK cinemas,” said the Tweet.
Netizens were outraged over the decision and they shared their plight on social media.
A Twitter user wrote, “BBFC is shivering in fear of Islamists backlash that’s the reason for delay.”
BBFC is shivering in fear of Islamists backlash that's the reason for delay. https://t.co/zoxKUnEEie
— 🇮🇳 (@KCSahay) May 13, 2023
Another user wrote, “What they mean is that their masters from Qatar are undertaking the classification process.”
https://twitter.com/KonkanRoots/status/1657249236143202304?s=20
Another user wrote, “The #UK doesn’t get to lecture #India on free speech. The @BBFC decided not to give the #KeralaStory story a classification. Emails to customers without explanation. The hypocrisy of allowing multiple shows about various depictions of #ISIS – just not where Hindus are the victims?”
The #UK doesn't get to lecture #India on free speech.
The @BBFC decided not give #KeralaStory story a classification. Emails to customers without explanation. The hypocrisy of allowing multiple shows about various depictions of #ISIS – just not where Hindus are the victims?
— Ravi Ladva (@Ravi_Ladva1) May 12, 2023
“A movie playing in local Canadian and American cinemas is not being given certification by @BBFC. That is the state of censorship in the UK. Then they want to lecture others on free speech. For reference the movie is sold out in Toronto theaters,” a user tweeted.
A movie playing in local Canadian and American cinemas is not being given certification by @BBFC.
That is the state of censorship in the UK. Then they want to lecture others on free speech.
For reference the movie is sold out in Toronto theaters. #Kerala_story https://t.co/RT09x0RHWZ pic.twitter.com/YJEHCPh7PT
— malika (@malikakas) May 12, 2023
A verified Twitter user wrote, “The brazen duplicity & hypocrisy of the British government continues to loom over us. #KeralaStory which was unjustifiably delayed preventing the release on the basis of unclear technicalities at first by the @bbfc is not releasing in the UK theatres this weekend. This is not political correctness but political madness demonstrated by the agency. As part of the #BritishIndian diaspora, we would implore @NadineDorries @SuellaBraverman & @RishiSunak to intervene & ensure this telling story is allowed to be broadcasted in British theatres to ensure we can prevent more of our daughters getting swayed by Islamists & turning into #ShamimaBegum”.
The brazen duplicity & hypocrisy of the British government continues to loom over the us. #KeralaStory which was unjustifiably delayed preventing the release on the basis of unclear technicalities at first by the @bbfc is not releasing in the UK theatres this weekend. This is not… pic.twitter.com/rkDUrRGzUe
— Adit (@IndicSocietee) May 12, 2023
The film ‘The Kerala Story’ shows how non-Muslim women are groomed and lured to relationships by Muslim men for conversion and later they are forced to join terrorist groups like ISIS.
The film is based around the life of Shalini Unnikrishnan, a Hindu girl played by Adah Sharma who is brainwashed into embracing Islam by her Muslim friend, married a Muslim man, and escapes to Syria along with her spouse where she is sent to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and is tortured there.
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