By Anirban Sinha Roy: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s close associate and artist Subhaprasanna said he disagreed with her decision to ban the film The Kerala Story in the state.

Subhaprasanna is a close aide of the Bengal CM since the formation of her party Trinamool Congress (TMC). He had supported the party during several trying times like the Singur land acquisition controversy and the Nandigram protests in 2007.

However, this time, Subhaprasanna had an opposing view from the TMC brass. Speaking to India Today, Subhaprasanna said, “It is a film by a known filmmaker. There isn’t much controversy in the film.”

Talking about artistic freedom, he said, “A film by an artist should always be free. He (Director of The Kerala Story) has got the censor certificate from the committee. It isn’t good to ban a film in this country.”

The noted artist said he felt that Mamata Banerjee’s decision to ban Sudipto Sen’s film was a “mistake”.

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Subhaprasanna compared the ban on The Kerala Story in Bengal to the country-wide ban on the BBC documentary – India: The Modi Question – on the 2002 Gujarat riots.

“Whether it is BBC’s documentary or The Kerala story the motivation is the same. I am always anti-ban. I call for freedom of creativity and art. Mamata Banerjee is also an artist. She used to paint, she used to sing, she use to write. She should feel the pain.”

Rubbishing rumours of a rift between him and Banerjee, he said, “If I feel that I am their friend and well-wisher, it’s my duty to show it when it is their fault. With this ban, the film will become more popular. People will be more curious to see it.”

The Kerala Story has been made tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is likely to be given tax incentive in Uttarakhand too.