Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri strongly responded to Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s statement about banning “The Kerala Story” Film. The film was initially banned by the government in West Bengal but later received a stay order from the Supreme Court, allowing it to be screened in the state. Many celebrities expressed their opinions on this ban, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s comments received significant attention. (Vivek Agnihotri Reacts To)

In response to his director Anurag Kashyap’s stance against banning films, Nawazuddin Siddiqui said that he agreed with him. However, he added that if a film or a novel is hurting someone, it is wrong. He emphasized that filmmakers make films to promote social harmony and love, not to hurt the audience or their sentiments. He believed that banning anything is unnecessary, but if a film has the potential to disrupt social harmony, it is highly wrong.

Unfortunately, some media reports misunderstood Nawazuddin’s words and claimed that he supported the ban on “The Kerala Story.” To clarify the misunderstanding, Nawazuddin had to issue a statement on Twitter, emphasizing that he never supported any film ban. He condemned the spread of false news for ratings, calling it cheap tactics aimed at gaining views and popularity. He firmly opposed film bans and advocated for their discontinuation, along with the cessation of spreading fake news.

Vivek Agnihotri shared a misleading tweet about Nawazuddin

Vivek Agnihotri Reacts To…

Even after Nawazuddin had explained himself, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri shared a tweet from a news portal that misrepresented Nawazuddin’s views. The tweet claimed that Nawazuddin supported the ban on “The Kerala Story” if it hurt someone. Vivek Agnihotri then questioned whether most of Nawazuddin’s films and shows should be banned, considering the alleged unnecessary abuse, violence, and perversion in movies and OTT shows that middle-class Indian families feel hurt them and their children. However, Vivek Agnihotri later deleted his tweet.

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri is a frequent user of Twitter and often shares his thoughts on the platform. Recently, Vivek Agnihotri posted a tweet questioning Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s statement about the Kerala story. However, he later deleted the tweet. In an interview, Nawazuddin stated that hurting someone through movies is wrong because films are meant to entertain, not hurt.

In response, Vivek Agnihotri tweeted, suggesting that if many Indian middle-class families feel that movies and shows with unnecessary abuse, violence, and perversion are hurting them and their children, Nawazuddin should recommend whether his own films and shows should be banned. The filmmaker later deleted the tweet, but people are sharing a screenshot of it on social media.

Following the attention his statement on the Kerala Story ban received, Nawazuddin clarified that he opposes any film bans.
In a tweet, he criticized the spreading of false news for views and hits, calling it cheap TRP. He clarified his stance against film bans. He urged everyone to stop banning films and spreading fake news.

West Bengal government bans film due to potential tensions between communities

The movie “The Kerala Story,” depicting women from Kerala being coerced to convert and join ISIS, has earned over ₹200 crore at the domestic box office. The movie, directed by Sudipto Sen, has been in the news for its controversial claims. The trailer for the movie The Kerala Story claimed that 32,000 women from Kerala had gone missing and joined ISIS. But, Court said that there is no proof to back up this claim. Also Read : ‘The Kerala Story’ Nears Rs. 200 Crore Mark

According to the Indian government, only a small number of Indians, mostly men, have joined ISIS. It is likely that the claim of 32,000 women from Kerala joining ISIS is false and is likely being used to promote Islamophobia.

Some critics have criticized the movie for its insensitive portrayal of Muslim women. Others have defended the movie, asserting that it is a work of fiction and should not be taken seriously.

The government of West Bengal decided to prohibit the screening of a particular film on May 8. They were concerned that the movie might create tensions and conflicts between different communities. Additionally, theaters in Tamil Nadu also chose to stop showing the film. They cited reasons such as the law-and-order situation & the film’s failure to attract a significant number of viewers. (Vivek Agnihotri Reacts To)

Authorities do not take the decision to ban a film lightly. Authorities make the decision to ban a film when they genuinely believe that its content might lead to violence or unrest among people.

In this case, the authorities in West Bengal perceived that screening the film could potentially generate tensions among different communities residing in the state. They believed that it was necessary to maintain peace and harmony, and thus, they decided to impose a ban on the film.

Tamil Nadu theaters avoid film due to law-and-order concerns

Similarly, theaters in Tamil Nadu also decided not to screen the film due to concerns about the law-and-order situation. They may have observed incidents or situations where the screening of certain films has led to unrest or disruptions. To avoid any potential trouble, the theaters made a decision not to show the film.

Another reason for the decision could be the poor audience turnout. When a film fails to attract a significant number of viewers, theaters may decide to discontinue its screening. The primary goal of theaters is to entertain and engage the audience. If a film fails to generate enough interest and fails to attract viewers, it becomes financially unsustainable for theaters to continue showing it. Hence, they may choose to stop screening such films.

The ban on a film or the decision to stop its screening is usually based on a careful evaluation of various factors. Authorities and theater owners take into account the potential impact of the film on society, the law-and-order situation, and the audience response. While it may disappoint some individuals who were eagerly anticipating the film, these decisions prioritize the well-being and safety of the public. (Vivek Agnihotri Reacts To)

It is essential for everyone, including filmmakers, actors, and the audience, to understand that the ultimate goal of films is to entertain and bring people together. Films have the power to influence and shape society. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the content of films promotes social harmony, understanding, and respect among individuals from different backgrounds and communities.

Believe in decisions made for society’s best interest

As responsible citizens, we should support the decisions made by the authorities and theater owners when it comes to banning or discontinuing the screening of films. We must trust their judgment & believe that they have made these decisions in the best interest of society.

It is also important for filmmakers and actors to create content that resonates with the audience in a positive manner. They should strive to produce films that entertain, inspire, and educate while avoiding content that may lead to conflicts or offend certain communities. By doing so, they contribute to the overall well-being and unity of our society.

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