The Supreme Court will take up on Friday a petition filed by the makers of The Kerala Story challenging the ban imposed on the film by the Bengal government and similar efforts in Tamil Nadu.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Wednesday agreed to list the matter for early hearing on Friday upon a request from senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the filmmakers who said they were losing money every day because of the ban in Bengal and the steps mulled in another state.

Although Salve did not directly refer to Tamil Nadu, the reference appeared to be clear as theatre owners in the state have refused to screen the movie citing possible law-and-order problems.

“We are losing money every day and now another state says they will do the same,” Salve told the bench that included Justice P.S. Narasimha during the morning mentioning time.

Initially, the CJI had said he would club the matter along with the special leave petition filed by a journalist, Qurban Ali, and others challenging the refusal of Kerala High Court to ban the movie and hear it together on May 15.

However, after Salve pleaded that the matter may be taken up for urgent hearing in view of the losses being suffered by the filmmakers, CJI Chandrachud said he would list the matter for hearing on Friday.

The CJI asked Salve to ensure that a formal notice is served on the Bengal government for its views on thematter.

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced the ban on the movie, citing the possibility of law-and-order problems.