“The Kerala Story,” Adah Sharma’s star-studded film, generated quite a buzz upon its release, being involved in a whirlwind of conflicts. Despite calls for its prohibition, protests, and constant clamor, the film won, generating a staggering 200 crores in just 18 days. This gripping film, directed by Sudipto Sen, brings light to the terrible story of Kerala women who became victims of forced conversions and recruitment by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
Adah Sharma, overjoyed, took to pen and paper to show her gratitude, proudly declaring “The Kerala Story” as the first female-led film to cross the 200 crore milestone. Taking to her Instagram, she wrote, “The best things in life are Unexpected – because there were no expectations. Thank you audience for making this happen. The makers of #TheKeralaStory: Vipul sir took a huge risk in making this film without any backing from studios and trusting the girl who played Bhavana Reddy in Commando to be Shalini Unnikrishnan. Sudipto sir for standing by his research for 7 years despite all odds, for being kind to all of us on set, and who kept up his pleasant nature in all weather conditions and trials and tribulations.”
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In terms of box office success, “The Kerala Story” is the second highest-grossing film, after only SRK’s “Pathan.” Adah Sharma plays Fathima Ba, a Hindu Malayali nurse who falls victim to a painful reality in this enthralling story. She is forcibly converted to Islam and recruited by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) alongside 32,000 other women from Kerala. The film also sheds light on the disturbing phenomenon of ‘Love Jihad,’ in which Muslim men influence Hindu girls into converting to Islam and abandoning their families.
Following the release of the film’s trailer, a petition quickly developed, accusing the film of engaging in the “worst kind of hate speech” and “audio-visual propaganda.” Numerous influential politicians slammed the film, rejecting its claims of being based on historical events and the veracity of the alleged total of ‘32,000 women.’
