New Delhi: Amid backlash, ‘The Kerala Story’, starring Adah Sharma and written and directed by Sudipto Sen, released in cinemas on Friday.
What is ‘The Kerala Story’ movie?
Sudipto Sen’s directorial The Kerala Story revolves around the story of ‘Hindu’ women who have claimed they were forcefully converted to Islam by the extremist group ISIS. Its description claiming that 32,000 women were converted has stirred controversy across India.
‘The Kerala Story’ cast
Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, ‘The Kerala Story’ stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani and Sonia Balani in the lead roles
Petition against ‘The Kerala Story’
Those opposing the movie are raising questions such as where is this stunning figure coming from. How is it based on true events?
Following the release of the film’s trailer, a petition was filed at the Supreme Court seeking a stay on its release on grounds of “worst kind of hate speech” and “audio-visual propaganda”.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain the request, with the bench saying, “There are varieties of hate speeches. This film has got certification and has been cleared by the board.”
“It’s not like a person getting on the podium and starts giving uncontrolled speech. If you want to challenge the release of the movie, you should challenge the certification and through appropriate forum,” the bench added.
Kerala High Court refuses to stay screening of film
On Friday, a division bench of the Kerala High Court refused to issue a stay order on the release of the film and observed that there was no allegation against a religion, but only against the organisation Islamic State or ISIS.
Political reactions on conversion claims
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the makers of the film, terming it as “propaganda” by “the Sangh parivar”.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor accused the film’s makers of indulging in “gross exaggeration” and “distortion” of the state’s reality.
From 32,000 to 3 girl…
Following criticism, the film’s teaser on YouTube which initially read as “heartbreaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 females in Kerala…” was toned down to “true stories of three young girls from Kerala.”