PremiumThe Kerala Story: Tamil Nadu government issues alert ahead of the release of Sudipto Sen's controversial film
The Sudipto Sen directorial has been facing backlash after it's trailer claimed that 32,000 women from Kerala had joined the ISIS
Last Updated: 02.29 PM, May 05, 2023
As Sudipto Sen's controversial film, The Kerala Story, gears up for release on May 5, the Tamil Nadu government has issued an alert across the state. According to intelligence agencies, there could be protests across the state on the day of the film's release leading to law and order issues. The state government has alerted collectors and the Police and have asked them to keep a close vigil on the law and order situation in the state.
The Sudipto Sen directorial has been facing backlash ever since its trailer claimed that 32,000 women from Kerala had joined ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The film has kicked up a storm as it sends across the message that Kerala is a breeding ground for terrorists. Though many had called for a ban against the film's release, the film is scheduled for release in four languages — Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.
While the film has evoked strong responses from many, the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had stated that the film churned out a factory of lies, and that it did nothing but propagate the Sangh Parivar propaganda, leading to the othering of the Muslims. Politicians from Tamil Nadu, too, have reacted strongly against the film and stated that the film would lead to communal polarisation and religious extremism. In the meantime, many Muslim outfits in the state have called for a ban on the controversial film.
Interestingly, though the film's trailer had initially claimed that 32,000 young women from Kerala had joined the militant group Islamic State, the edited trailer now claims that it is based on “true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala.” The Kerala Story features Adah Sharma as Fathima Ba aka Shalini Unnikrishnan, an aspiring nurse, who was converted to Islam and made to join the IS. It also features Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani and Sonia Balani. The film is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.