Salve: I have a valid certification by CBFC. Whether the challenge to certification order should be heard- that you may decide. Both Kerala and TN courts have declined stay.
Salve: I want a direction by your lordships that TN provides all security measures which they already have professed.
On the ground people are saying they're getting phone calls to not show the film. Obviously they are not going on record.
Salve: Then the Tamil Nadu Ban. In Tamil Nadu, see their counter. I had alleged there is a de facto ban, the police is going and shutting down.
hey say that owing to lack of reception by general public, multiplexes stopped screening. I want to nail this line. If you turn to additional affidavit, please see para 6. "On 6 May 2023, one theatre in TN...showed evidence of strong audience reaction..."
The multiplex owners pulling back a film which has full theatres..this says a lot.
Salve : Well settled that State cannot sit in appeal over CBFC certification for film.
Salve: This happened. Maharashtra government dealt with it. This is the long and short of this ban. All judgements, your lordships already know.
Your lordships have held that if there is an incident that happens you can stop screening for 2-3 days till it cools down. You cannot do this.
Salve reading out from WB affidavit: "Muslim organisations and political parties may protest...Radical Hindus may show overenthusiasm..."
Then they say that in Maharashtra there was an incident. But there is no ban in Maharashtra. It is running fully in all cities - Bombay etc. They have no problem. But WB government are concerned about Maharashtra.
Salve : So they have picked up 13 people who come and say that they watched the movie, which is terrible and it'll cause riots.
Salve: Please see 13 incidents they have pointed out. These tell the entire tale.
See the brilliant assessments made. "Abhinav so and so reported today that he watched the film and presumed that people may become violent and create trouble
The court goes through the West Bengal GO banning the screening of The Kerala Story.
Salve: The justification of the order in the counter affidavit is on para 20. Please see.
Salve: "It is submitted that the movie was released in the entire State of WB. However the very first day, the intelligence group alerted that it may result in riots...As per surveillance, the audience makes very objectionable comments... outside theatres people discuss amongst themselves to limit interaction with Muslims.."
Sr Adv Harish Salve: I am appearing in this for the producers
Sr Adv Gopal Sankarnarayanan: Before he starts, I have a suggestion. If you have time, just take a look at the movie.
Adv Kaleeswaram Raj: This happened in Bombay HC with Jolly LLB, the court watched the movie.