'The Kerala Story' team thanks UP CM Yogi Adityanath for 'encouragement'

LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met the cast and makers of 'The Kerala Story' at his residence on Wednesday. The UP government has exempted the film from entertainment tax and the CM, along with cabinet ministers, is likely to watch the film in a special screening at the Lok Bhawan on May 12.
'The Kerala Story' team included producer Vipul Shah, the film's lead actor Adah Sharma, director Sudipto Sen and Vir Kapur.The meeting saw a discussion on the film with Shah thanking the CM for exempting the film from entertainment tax in UP and requesting him to watch it.
A government spokesperson said that the team also praised Yogi Adityanath's anti-conversion law, the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020.
The controversial film, which its makers claim is based "on the mass conversion of young Hindu women in Kerala and their involvement in terrorist activities," has been criticised by various Opposition parties, including the Kerala government for being propaganda.
In West Bengal, the film has been banned over fears that it may disrupt peace, reports said0.
After their meeting with the CM, director Sudipto Sen spoke about the ban on the film in West Bengal. "This is not a fighting arena. People want to see it and are watching it also. The people of West Bengal are being stopped from watching it which is a violation of basic human rights. Everyone has the right to see the film. I want to request the West Bengal government to lift this illegal ban," he said. Sen added that they had visited the CM to thank him for making it tax free so that more and more people could watch it.
Producer Vipul Shah said that it was necessary to thank the UP CM for his encouragement and strengthening our resolve.
"This was a big message to the people of the state who are going to watch it. Through the film, we have exposed a terror module, bringing out a problem being faced by girls. Every political party must decide whether it is with the girls or against them. If you ban a film made on their problems, what is the message you are giving to the girls," Shah said.