New Delhi: ‘The Kerala Story’ has been raging a storm ever since the film's trailer was released. The film, that released on Friday, has been performing well at the box office despite a ban in West Bengal and no screening in Tamil Nadu.
In the latest update, a crew member of the film has received a purported threat message on his mobile phone, prompting the Mumbai Police to provide security at his office in suburban Andheri, an official told PTI.
The movie's production head, Bhanjaya Sahu, received a message from an unknown number on his mobile phone on Saturday which read: "Don't step out alone, You didn't do good".
Sahu approached the police on Saturday with a complaint, the official told PTI, adding FIR is not registered yet.
Based on the primary information, police have provided security at Sahu's office and further investigation is underway, he added.
The Kerala Story Box Office Collection
Meanwhile, the Adah Sharma starrer collected Rs 10.07 crore on Monday, bringing the total to Rs 45.72 crore in four days.
On Tuesday, trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted the film's box office numbers. He wrote, “#TheKeralaStory passes the crucial ‘Monday Test’ with DISTINCTION MARKS… Day 4 [Mon; working day] HIGHER than Day 1 [Fri; holiday]… Will cross ₹ 50 cr today [Tue]… Fri 8.03 cr, Sat 11.22 cr, Sun 16.40 cr [revised], Mon 10.07 cr. Total: ₹ 45.72 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice”
The film, depicting the plight of a group of women in Kerala who are allegedly forced to convert and join ISIS, has kicked up a political storm.
On Monday, the film was banned in West Bengal to avoid "any incident of hatred and violence". Multiplexes across Tamil Nadu have also cancelled screenings of the controversial film from Sunday, citing law and order issues and poor public response.
The Producers Guild of India issued a statement condemning the ban. "The Producers Guild of India is distressed by, and would like to record its strong objection to, state-enforced bans on 'The Kerala Story'. As emphasised by us on several occasions in the past, film releases are regulated by CBFC and any film that complies with this statutory requirement should face no further hurdles in having the paying public decide on its fate. Of course, the audience can choose to watch or ignore any film but that is a choice that should be theirs to make, not one that is imposed on them by any party other than CBFC," the guild said in a statement.
The Supreme Court will hear on May 15 a plea against the Kerala High Court order refusing to stay the release of the film 'The Kerala Story'.