The Kerala Story: Netizens recall John Abraham's old statements about Kerala's communal harmony

Sudipto Sen's polarizing film The Kerala Story has been yielding great results at the box office despite all the controversy and backlash surrounding it. However, the film is being pulled up by critics and audiences for its alleged misrepresentation and vilification of the Muslim community, with several comments vehemently disagreeing with the ethos it represents. In several areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the screening of The Kerala Story has been banned due to the contentious subject matter.

Several netizens have been impassionedly expressing dissent against whom they are referring to as 'propagandists' and in this vein, an old video featuring Bollywood actor John Abraham has resurfaced on social media. The Pathaan actor, who is one-half Malayali, is seen showering praise on the people of Kerala for their exhibition of communal harmony and the fact that religions have effortlessly, and peacefully, co-habited in the region for several years together. The nearly five-year-old video is now being circulated on social media in response to the 'hatred' and 'hostility' that The Kerala Story is allegedly spreading.

"You can see a temple, a mosque and a church within like 10 meters of each other peacefully co-existing without any problem whatsoever. Seeing what's happening to the world today - the entire world is getting very polarized - I think Kerala is an example of religions and communities co-existing so peacefully," says John Abraham in the video. 

The 50-year-old model-turned-actor has often spoken of his Malayali roots and how his periodic visits to Kerala have fascinated him, whether it is the region's vibrancy or its undying passion for sports. 

As far as The Kerala Story is concerned, the film has already emerged as a success at the box office and is set to close the opening weekend of its theatrical run at Rs. 35 crores. Adah Sharma stars in the film as the lead with Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Siddhi Idnani, Vijay Krishna and others, too, as part of the cast. Vipul Amritlal Shah, who also serves as the film's creative director, has produced the film.