'The Kerala Story' Is Mirror To Dead Face Of Mainstream Bollywood: RGV

Noted filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma slammed Bollywood while extending his support to the controversial movie 'The Kerala Story'.

"The #KeralaStory is like a BEAUTIFUL GHOSTLY MIRROR showing the DEAD face of Main stream BOLLYWOOD to itself in all its UGLINESS,[sic]" he wrote on Twitter.

The movie, which was released on May 5, was banned in West Bengal before the court's intervention. Even petitions were filed seeking a stay on its release in courts in several parts of South India. In fact, exhibitors had cancelled the screening of the film in Tamil Nadu citing the law-and-order situation and a poor audience turnout.

On Friday, the Supreme Court stayed the West Bengal government's order banning the screening of the film in the state while asking Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of the moviegoers.

"Bad films bomb at the box office... Moreover, the state is duty bound to maintain the law and order as the film has been granted certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)," the bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said.

The TMC government in Bengal had imposed a ban on the film on May 8, apprehending tensions among the communities.

'The Kerala Story' triggered a row with the Left and the Congress alleging that the film is a false portrayal against a community. On the other hand, the BJP-ruled states granted tax exemption for the movie.

The story of 'The Kerala Story' revolves around 3 women who are converted and then sold off as sex slaves to the Islamic State.

Sudipto Sen-directed flick has Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani in the cast.

Meanwhile, the movie, which has struck gold at the box office. 'The Kerala Story' has minted Rs 187.47 crore (nett) at the India box office in 16 days. The worldwide collection of the film stands at Rs 228.94 crore.

More importantly, the Hindi movie has become the second highest-grossing movie after Shah Rukh Khan's 'Pathaan' which was released in January.