New Delhi, May 18, 2023, Special Correspondent

New Delhi, May 18: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the decision of the West Bengal government to ban screening of the film The Kerala Story - a Hindi film about a group of women from Kerala who join ISIS.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala stayed the ban order of West Bengal and also directed the State of Tamil Nadu to provide security to theatres.

"West Bengal on May 8 issued an order under Section 6(1) read with section 4 of West Bengal Cinemas Regulation Act prohibiting exhibition of the film in the entire West Bengal. Prima facie we are of the view that the prohibition by West Bengal is not tenable on the basis of material before. Thus, the order banning the film is stayed," the Court ordered.

Regarding Tamil Nadu, the Court noted the State's submission that the screening of the film has not been directly or indirectly prohibited in the State.

"While recording this we direct that adequate security shall be provided to every cinema hall and requisite arrangement shall be made to ensure safety of movie goers. No express steps whether tacit etc shall be taken to prevent screening of the film," the Court underlined.

Importantly, the Court directed the film makers to ensure that by 5pm on May 20, the movie carries a disclaimer clearly stating that the film is a fictionalised version of events.

Even before its release on May 5, the film invited criticism from several quarters.

In Kerala, the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress party alleged that it is a propaganda movie promoting a fake narrative and an agenda of right wing organisations.

The top court bench was hearing two petitions - one challenging the May 5 Kerala High Court order that had refused to stay the release of the movie, or take down the trailer and other clips, and the other being the plea filed by the makers of the movie, challenging the decision of the West Bengal government to ban the film.

The Supreme Court had earlier refused to interfere with the release of the film or to pass any orders for urgent listing of the case before the Kerala High Court.