British film board passesThe Kerala Story with an 18 certificate

The British Board of Film Classification has made a decision about the film The Kerala Story, that is is fit for general release with an 18 rating and 5 Pillars is fuming.  The BBFC decision is here

A suspected terrorist recalls how she was groomed, recruited and subjected to violence and abuse by Islamist militants in this harrowing Hindi drama. Sexual violence is portrayed unflinchingly, alongside other complex themes.

Earlier scheduled showings of the film were postponed as there was not yet a BBFC certificate; some of the Indian press detected reticence and fear (not impossible). It is only the Indian press taking much notice of the film at the moment.  This is India Weekly

Last week, screenings of ‘The Kerala Story’ in languages such as Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam that were scheduled across 31 cinemas in the UK and Ireland, were cancelled. Cinema websites also paused sale of tickets and initiated refunds for the cancelled shows

The move faced a backlash from several Indians residing in the UK some of whom claimed that the BBFC was intentionally withholding the film to please “certain groups”.

India was divided over the screening of the film with states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu deciding to impose a ban on its screening. Some other states, ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, made the film tax free. The film was released in India on May 5.

However, Sen was elated after his film received the green signal from the BBFC.

In a tweet, he said, “Congratulations #GreatBritain. You won. Terrorism lost. Shall wait for your reaction. Oh… now British people shall watch the biggest revolution against terror… [sic].”

Adah Sharma, who plays the lead role in the film, also welcomed the move tweeting, “FINALLY !!! #TheKeralaStory releasing in the UK [sic].”

Re-scheduled performances are listed from Friday in Ilford (East London/Essex not far from me) and several other London boroughs. I would imagine it would be of great interest in other districts with a substantial Indian community like Leicester, Southall and Wolverhampton. I also anticipate Muslim interference, as they did with Lady of Heaven.

Reading the BBFC synopsis I see parallels with the grooming MO of Rochdale and Rotherham, but with further transportation to Islamic State for use as cannon fodder.

I believe that there are several language versions including English.

Update Thursday morning

MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development) issued an “Action Alert” late last night.

It has come to our attention that several cinemas across the UK are set to screen the anti-Muslim and Hindutva propagandist film … ‘The Kerala Story’. This is alarming, and the screening of such a film would no doubt fuel Islamophobic tensions and divisiveness. As such, we call upon you to take action and lobby to cancel the screening of such an Islamophobic film. This can be done by simply copying our template letter below and emailing each cinema. Alternatively, should an email not be available, paste the shorter letter into their website’s ‘contact us’ section or send it to them via social media.

I see from their list that it is showing at 31 cinemas.  They can write letters but any ‘presence’ outside those cinemas tomorrow would be taking a liberty.