The West Bengal government announced a ban on the screening of the film, The Kerala Story, and has thus become the first state in India to do so. A press release issued has informed that the decision has been made in order to maintain peace and harmony in the state. The note stated, "Fearing that the scenes shown in this film could be dangerous to the peace and order of the state, the screening of this film was banned in all districts including Kolkata." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a press conference hours before The Kerala Story was banned in the state describing the film as a "distorted story", while leveling accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "running its narrative" in such films.
The statement from the West Bengal government comes only days after the Kerala High Court declined to stay the screening of The Kerala Story. Mamata Banerjee also conveyed her thoughts to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying, "Instead of me, it was their duty to criticise it [the film]." She went on to accuse the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) of collaborating with the BJP in the state and said, "I am sorry. I will request the State government, the Chief Minister...[It is] very sad that your party is working with the BJP. That BJP is showing The Kerala Files [ The Kerala Story], a distorted story."
Mamata Banerjee further alleged that there were a few attempts to make a similar film in West Bengal a few days ago. She said, "Along with some distorted stories, concocted stories, they are preparing a film, The Bengal Files." She added that the Hindi film, The Kashmir Files, released last year, was made to "condemn" and "humiliate" the people of Kashmir. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson further stated, "Now they are trying to defame Kerala people and Kerala State also. Every day, they are [running] their narrative to defame Bengal." Directed by Sudipto Sen, The Kerala Story produced under the Sunshine Pictures banner stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani in the lead roles.
