A film in India is facing a vigorous controversy after the trailer was released. ‘The Kerala Story’ directed by Sudipto Sen has released on 5th of May 2023. Produced by Vipul Amrutlal and starring Adah Sharma, it has focused on the issues of forced conversion and radicalization of women in state, Kerala. According to the script, 32000 women from Kerala were converted to Islam forcibly and were recruited by the terror group Islamic State. The film is specifically based on 2016 Kerala case, where many girls went reportedly missing and who were converted to Islam to join ISIS. While people who are opposing it, questioning mentioned figures in the movie and that how it is based on true events, however a media channel broadcasted a show on 4th of May and presented similar stories of girls living in Kerala, who suffered forced conversion.
Censor Board had issued an ‘A’ certificate to the film after removing 10 scenes including an interview with a former Kerala Chief Minister. Amid criticism and the backlash, film’s screening was held peacefully on 2nd of May in Jawaharlal Nehru University. ‘The Kerala Story’ was supported by the students and even filmmakers got to have an interaction with them personally.
Petitioners demanded a complete ban on the film and blamed it for a planned propaganda and an instance of hate speech. But Supreme Court overruled the petition saying the film already got an ‘A’ certificate. Kerala administration has asked to ‘Boycott’ the film since the ban on movie is impractical. Left administration and Congress party is constantly opposing the release of movie in the state and other parts of the country. Minister of Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian said, ‘the work of art that harms religious sentiments cannot be allowed in the name of freedom of expression.’ Expert committee will form to examine the issue and will take further action after that, he said.
Abhijeet Agrawal is an expert in entertainment field and has reviewed number of films. On asking about ‘The Kerala Story’ he said, ‘The movie showcased heart wrenching stories of girls which are enough to horrify any family. Forced conversions, radicalization of women are the issues raised by this movie. It is a must watch for everybody, beyond controversy.’ In addition he also told EAT news that filmmakers usually gets prepared for the controversy. ‘Scripts that are usually written around religion face criticism. If we look back, films by Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has faced boycott several times from various religious groups, but he never stopped. So when a film gets on paper, a director, producer and the whole team estimates the possibilities film can get into after release or even before. Society and religious leaders do not want entertainment industry to touch sensitive subjects, which is not fair. Entertainment is an art and limiting an artist is like insulting them’, he said.
On asking, is a ban right choice for this film or any film? Agrawal denied straight. He said, ‘Producers spend crores in a making of film. Alongside monetary value, man power and labour is also a major contribution in a film. Huge sets, travelling, costume, equipment, interiors, hospitality, there are number of things that makes a film. When a group or an individual ask for a ban, their hard work, talent gets unseen. It’s a loss for a lifetime. I don’t favor ban for any movie. I suggest people to let audience decide what they think. The film should reach to its audience to get a fair feedback.’ Injecting a narrative or propaganda in minds of people before the film even released, is like pre planned according to him.
The major point of controversy film is having is manipulation with numbers. Plot claimed 32000 women in Kerala went missing and were found as victims of forced conversion whereas many were taken to ISIS ruled Syria. Others are saying the number is 3 and not 32000. Agrawal on playing with facts and figures said, ‘Either a film could be fiction or non-fiction or audience briefly gets informed about it before the movie starts. A director never lies about the foundation of plot as it carries lot of risk plus the film industry too have some rules and regulations to follow. If the filmmaker has played with figures, come with evidences and support your theory, simple. Demanding ban for a movie is not appreciated and especially when it deals with such sensitive subject that project suffering. Everybody deserves truth and so does the audience.’
Islam is the second highest religion practiced in Kerala after Hinduism. Calculated Muslim population according to 2011 Census of Kerala state is 8,873,472. In the middle of Kerala administration’s boycott decision, film has received support from the ruling administration Bhartiya Janta Party. As the debate continues around ‘The Kerala Story’, filmmakers await for the real feedback.
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