The Kerala Story found itself in the eye of the storm even before its release last week. From bans and tax-breaks to finding mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at an election rally, it’s become the topic du jour. Here’s everything you need to know:
May 9, 2023
By: Ananya Tawakley
Credit: Sunshine Pictures Official Instagram
The Kerala Story depicts the conversion of three female nursing students to Islam and their journey to joining the terror organisation ISIS in Afghanistan.
Credit: Sunshine Pictures Official Instagram
The cast includes Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Siddhi Idnani and Devadarshini.
Credit: Adah Sharma Official Instagram
The movie, which released on May 5, is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amritlal Shah.
Credit: Sunshine Pictures Official Instagram
The film's makers assert that the movie is a compilation of true stories. Originally, the teaser suggested the movie was based on 32,000 cases, but the number was later revised. The Youtube trailer description now says the film is based on the “true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala”.
Credit: Sunshine Pictures Official Instagram
West Bengal, under Mamata Banerjee banned the showing of the movie. In Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners’ Association withdrew the movie from theatres.
Credit: Sunshine Pictures Official Instagram
On the other hand, BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have declared the film tax-free to promote viewership.
Credit: Sunshine Pictures Official Instagram
In a speech at Bellary, the Prime Minister said, “The movie ‘The Kerala story’ is trying to expose the consequences of terrorism in a society, especially in a state like Kerala which is a beautiful land of hardworking, talented and intellectual people.”
Credit: Adah Sharma Official Instagram
The Supreme Court last week refused to intervene in multiple challenges against The Kerala Story. A day later, the Kerala High Court rejected a demand to stay the screening of the film.
Credit: Adah Sharma Official Instagram
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea against the Kerala High Court’s refusal to stay the movie, on May 15.
Credit: Adah Sharma Official Instagram
The film was reportedly made on an overall budget of ₹40 crore and has collected ₹45.75 crore at the box office after four days.
Credit: Adah Sharma Official Instagram
The Kerala Story is one of several films to have run into controversy for various reasons in recent times – including The Kashmir Files, centred around the 1990s exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from Indian-administered Kashmir, and the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan.
Credit: Adah Sharma Official Instagram