Anurag Thakur Reacts To Naseeruddin Shah's Comment On The Kerala Story: 'People Liked The Movie'

New Delhi: Actor Naseeruddin Shah recently spoke on the controversial film 'The Kerala Story'. He criticised Sudipto Sen’s film and said that he has no intention of watching the movie. He also called people flocking to theatres to watch such movies a dangerous trend. 

Now Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has reacted to Naseeruddin's comment. He said it is the general public that liked the film. 

“People from across the world want to come to India. We have freedom of expression; that's why films are made. If a serious topic related to society was concerning and thought-provoking, then what's the issue in making a film on it? If the movie got its success, that means people liked it. In today's world, it is up to the consumers. Is it just the issue of the state? And if someone wants to attack politically, he should better join politics and do the same,” he said. 

Earlier, in a conversation with India Today Naseeruddin Shah had said, “Worthwhile films like Bheed, Afwaah, Faraaz, all three collapsed. Nobody went to see them, but they are flocking to see The Kerala Story which I have not seen, and I don’t intend to see, because I have read enough about it.” 

Calling it a dangerous trend, the actor compared it to Nazi Germany. “In Hitler’s time, the filmmakers were co-opted, attempted to be co-opted, by the supreme leader to make films praising him and what he has done for the countrymen, and running down the Jewish community," he told India Today. 

He also said that he hopes that things will change eventually. “On the flip side, I have hope that this atmosphere of hate gets fatiguing. How long can you go on spreading hate? I think and I hope that the way it has suddenly engulfed us all, it will also disappear. But it won’t be soon,” the actor added. 

Starring Adah Sharma, 'The Kerala Story' depicts how women from Kerala were forced to convert and recruited by the terror group Islamic State (IS). It is produced by Vipul Shah's Sunshine Pictures.  

The movie, which has polarised the political discourse in the country, was released in theatres on May 5.  

The movie was banned by the West Bengal government on May 8, fearing tensions among communities. Theatres in Tamil Nadu had decided to stop the screening from May 7 onwards, citing the law-and-order situation and a poor audience turnout.  

On May 16, the Supreme Court stayed the West Bengal government's order banning the film in the state and asked Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of the moviegoers.