A FILM FULL OF PROPAGANDA AND HOSTILITY - THE KERALA STORY

 

FILM - THE KERALA STORY

The Kerala Story, a film directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal and starring Adah Sharma, was scheduled to be released on May 5. The controversy surrounding the film began shortly after the release of the trailer. The teaser implied that the terrorist organization Islamic State had recruited 32,000 women from Kerala who had converted to Islam. Those who are against the film ask questions like where this magnificent figure comes from. How does it reflect actual events?

The Censor Board reportedly removed 10 portions from the film, including an interview with a former chief minister of Kerala, and gave it an "A" rating certificate. The Former Government and Congress have been strongly criticized the film and have called for a ban on cinema screenings.

What is 'The Kerala Story' in dispute over?

The movie was screened on May 2 at Jawaharlal Nehru University despite the controversy. Although the Leftist administration or Congress is calling for a ban, university students have shown exceptional support for this film by cheering it loudly. The filmmakers interacted with the pupils as well. 

The Hadiya Case of 2016, which involved numerous girls who supposedly went missing and converted to Islam in order to join ISIS, served as the inspiration for the movie.

Facts of "The Kerala Story" Controversy: 

• The allegations of forced conversion and radicalization of women in Kerala are highlighted in "The Kerala Story," which ignited debate as soon as the trailer was made public.

• The Supreme Court declined, stating, "There are various types of hate speeches." This film has been certified and cleared by the board," he said, adding, "it's not like a person stepping up on the stage and having an unrestrained speech." If you want to challenge the film's release, you should do it through the proper channels."

• The Supreme Court received numerous petitions against the film's release on the grounds that it contained the "worst kind of hate speech" and "audio-visual propaganda," but the SC declined to become involved.

• Sudipto Sen, the film's director, and Vipul Amrutlal Shah, its producer, both stated that 'The Kerala Story' is based on genuine events.

• The movie is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, starring Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani & was set to release on May 5.

• After outrage, the preview for the movie was changed from "true stories of three young girls from Kerala" to "heartbreaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 females in Kerala" on YouTube.

• Kerala's ruling communist coalition government and opposition leaders are seeking legal action against the film. State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Facebook that the film is an "attempt to spread hate propaganda" and threatened the creators with legal action.

• "This bogus story is a product of the Sangh Parivar's factory of lies," he wrote on Facebook. "It is not right to use freedom of expression to justify those who use cinema only to create division." "Freedom of expression does not give you permission to communalize this country, spread lies, and divide people.

• According to the premise of the film, around 32,000 women in Kerala were converted to Islam and many were sent to ISIS-ruled Syria when the terror group boasted about its dominance, but some claim the number is 3, not 32,000, which became a major source of contention.

• Shashi Tharoor, a Congress leader, accused the filmmakers of "gross exaggeration" and "distortion" of Kerala's reality.

• According to Firos of the Muslim Youth League, the video supports "Islamophobic tropes."

• The film is an insult to the women of the state," VD Sadeeshan, Kerala's Congress party opposition leader, told Al Jazeera. "People who believe in the rule of law, democracy, and secularism will disagree with the film's theme."

Cash rewards for evidence:

• Moreover, Shashi Tharoor tweeted that he would give Rs. 1 crore to anyone who could provide evidence that 32,000 women in Kerala were reportedly coerced into becoming Muslims.

• Nazeer Hussain Kizhakkedathu, a native of Kerala who is settled in the United States, also announced a reward of 1 million rupees for evidence regarding only 10 girls and women – not thousands, as claimed by the film.

• The Muslim Youth League is not alone in its opposition to the film.