The Kerala Story is a 2023 Hindi drama film that claims to tell the true stories of three young girls from Kerala who were converted to Islam and joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The film stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani in the lead roles. The film is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah¹.
The film has sparked a huge controversy in India, as it has been accused of being Islamophobic propaganda and spreading the Hindutva conspiracy theory of “love jihad” – the alleged practice of Muslim men luring Hindu and Christian women into marriage and conversion². The film has also faced legal challenges and protests, primarily in Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where some state governments have banned or restricted its screening³⁴.
However, the film has also received support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has leveraged the film in its campaigning for the Karnataka assembly election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the film at a recent political rally, saying that it exposed the “ugly truth of terrorism” and the “plight of our daughters”⁵. Some BJP leaders have also hosted screenings and distributed free tickets for the film⁶.
The film has performed well at the box office, earning more than 560 million rupees ($6.8 million) in five days, which is considered “a feat for any new release” by analyst Taran Adarsh⁷. The film has also got poor reviews from many mainstream critics, who have criticized its performances, script, direction, and lack of nuance. One critic wrote that the film’s “thoughts about Islam and [religious] conversion seem to have been sourced from hate-filled WhatsApp groups”⁸.
The Kerala Story is a film that has divided the nation and ignited deadly tensions. It is a film that raises questions about freedom of expression, religious harmony, and national security. It is a film that you should watch with caution and critical thinking.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 15/6/2023(1) The Kerala Story (2023) – IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24268454/ Accessed 15/6/2023.
(2) The Kerala Story – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kerala_Story Accessed 15/6/2023.
(3) The Kerala Story – iBOMMA. https://ibomma.movie/the-kerala-story/ Accessed 15/6/2023.
(4) The Kerala Story Vegamovies | 480p, 720p, 1080p. https://vegamovies.com.in/movies/the-kerala-story/ Accessed 15/6/2023.
(5) The Kerala Story (2023) Movie Review – A controversial story backed by …. https://www.thereviewgeek.com/thekeralastory-moviereview/ Accessed 15/6/2023.
(6) The Kerala Story: Why an Indian film on Islamic State is so …. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65481927 Accessed 15/6/2023.
(7) Why ‘The Kerala Story’ Movie Sparked Deadly Tension in India – TIME. https://time.com/6280955/kerala-story-movie-india/ Accessed 15/6/2023.
(8) Explained | Why are various sections squabbling over The Kerala Story …. https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-kerala-story-controversy-590704 Accessed 15/6/2023.