NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea seeking a ban on the release of the film “Kerala Story” for being “gross hate speech” and “audio-visual propaganda”.
Justices KM Joseph and P.V. Earlier, a bench comprising Nagaratna, senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha said that the trailer of the film, scheduled for release on Friday, had received 16 million views.

Mr Pasha said, “This film is hate speech at its worst. It is purely audio-visual propaganda.”

The bench said, “There are many types of hate speech. The film has got a certificate and the board’s permission. It is not like one can go on stage and start unregulated speech. If you want to challenge the release of the film, you have to challenge the certificate and through the appropriate forum”.

Mr. Sibal then said, “I will do the needful.”

Justice Nagaratna said the petitioner should first approach the High Court. Mr Pasha said there is no time yet as the film is scheduled to release on Friday.
“This is not a ground. Otherwise everyone will start coming to the Supreme Court,” the bench said.

That is why Mr Pasha said he filed the intervention application in the hate speech case. While Justice Joseph did not advise on the petition, he said substantial writ petitions should be filed for appropriate redressal.

The Hindi film revolves around religious conversion.