Cast: Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Siddhi Idani and others
Director: Sudipto Sen
Producer: Vipul Amruthlal Shah
The film “The Kerala Story,” directed by Sudipto Sen, has garnered a lot of attention with its provocative teasers and trailers. Starring Adah Sharma in the lead, the movie delves into the sensitive topic of Hindu women in Kerala being converted into terrorists by ISIS. The film highlights the issue of Love Jihad, which has sparked controversy across the country.
The makers claimed that the story was about the 32,000 missing women from Kerala, but this claim drew criticism from political parties and NGOs, who accused the filmmakers of tarnishing Kerala’s image. Despite featuring former CM VS Achuthanandan’s statement to support their claims, the censor board compelled the makers to remove it and change the number of missing women from 32,000 to three.
Consequently, the film was banned in Kerala and several other states. The movie has been receiving extensive media coverage and international attention, with even PM Modi mentioning it during his election campaign in Karnataka. It remains to be seen whether the Kerala Story contains any controversial elements and what it’s all about.
Story:
The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, delves into a sensitive topic that took place in the southern state of India a few years ago. The film centers around the disturbing discovery that several Hindu women were forcefully converted to Islam and sent to countries such as Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to be trained as terrorists by the notorious group, ISIS.
The story follows Shalini (played by Adah Sharma), a nursing student who shares a room with Geetanjali (Siddhi Idnani), Nimah (Yogita Bihani), and Asifa (Sonia Balani). However, Shalini’s peaceful life takes a dramatic turn, and she finds herself facing overwhelming obstacles.
To uncover the gripping twists and turns in Shalini’s journey and how her life intersects with Geetanjali, Nimah, and Asifa, viewers must witness the Kerala Story unfold on the screen. Despite the controversy surrounding the film’s depiction of events, it has garnered significant attention from both domestic and international media, with even Indian Prime Minister Modi addressing it during his election campaign in Karnataka.
Analysis:
The Kerala Story is a thought-provoking and unsettling movie that sheds light on a few disturbing incidents that took place in the state. Through Adah Sharma’s powerful performance, director Sudipto Sen brings attention to the urgent need to prevent such atrocities from happening in the future. While the exact number of missing women may be up for debate, the film’s message is clear – even one woman experiencing such horrors is one too many.
Positives:
Cinematography
Performances
Story
Negatives:
BGM
Screenplay
Excess violence
Verdict:
Although the film’s story is compelling, its screenplay and direction sometimes falter. Had Sen tightened these aspects, The Kerala Story could have had an even greater impact on its viewers. While some may take a strong stance for or against the film, the disturbing events and sinister motives of ISIS cannot be ignored. It is important to consider all aspects of the film when reflecting on its message.