New Delhi: The Supreme Court on May 4 rebuffed a fresh attempt by a petitioner seeking a stay on the release of the film The Kerala Story, saying that a filmmaker invests a lot of money and time in making a movie and actors also put in a lot of work, and the market will decide if it is not up to the mark. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices P. S. Narasimha and J. B. Pardiwala said, “one, the CBFC has released their film; two, the Kerala High Court declined to stay the film; and three, yesterday we said we are not going to entertain a petition under Article 32. Now, after these steps have been completed and henxe for us to hear an application like this is not proper.”
During the hearing on the plea, filed by journalist Qurban Ali, the bench emphasised that before rushing to the court against a movie, a thought should be given about the filmmaker and actors and how many times will this be challenged? The bench told petitioner’s counsels, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and Shoeb Alam, to look at the filmmaker, he cannot be made to face courts for the release of his film and the Kerala High Court had applied its mind while refusing interim relief of staying the film release.
Ahmadi submitted that a letter was sent to the acting Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, who said that a bench has been constituted. The registry later informed the petitioner that the bench will not hold sitting on May 4 and also the Kerala High Court is on summer vacation, Ahmadi contended.
However, the Apex Court refused to entertain the plea against the movie.