West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee banned the screening of the film "The Kerala Story" in the state on May 9, 2023. The film, which was released on May 5, 2023, is about three women from Kerala who are trafficked to ISIS camps after being converted to Islam through marriage.

Banerjee said that she banned the film to avoid any incident of hatred and violence in the state. She also said that the film was a "distorted story" and that it was "aimed at defaming Kerala".

The film's producers have denied that the film is distorted or defamatory. They have said that the film is based on real-life events and that it is a "social message" film.

The ban on the film has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have supported the ban, saying that it was necessary to prevent any violence or hatred. Others have criticized the ban, saying that it is an attack on freedom of expression.

The film's producers have said that they will challenge the ban in court.

The ban on "The Kerala Story" is the latest in a series of controversies involving films in India. In recent years, there have been several films that have been banned or have faced protests due to their content. These films have included "Padmavati", "Kashmir Files", and "The Accidental Prime Minister".

The controversy surrounding "The Kerala Story" highlights the challenges of freedom of expression in India. In a country with a diverse population and a long history of religious conflict, it is often difficult to find a balance between freedom of expression and the need to prevent violence and hatred.