The Kerala Story: Lead star Adah Sharma says the film is not anti-religion; it’s anti-terrorist organizations

Sudipto Sen’s film on the radicalization and conversion of women to Islam to be a part of ISIS as told by survivors from Kerala, releases in theatres on May 5

Adah Sharma plays the lead in the film

This week, the trailer of filmmaker Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story came out and has led to widespread debate about the content of the film. Based on true events, the film explores the story of an aspiring nurse Shalini Unnikrishnan, played by Adah Sharma, who was converted into Islam and chosen as one among the 32,000 women from the state sent to join the IS.

While several people have lauded the filmmaker’s attempt to present this side of the story, a large section is also calling it propaganda and false. In fact, a case has been registered against the filmmakers citing that the events shown in the trailer promote disharmony and enmity between different groups based on grounds of faith.

Read also: Propaganda film claims: The Kerala Story maker Sudipto Sen urges audiences to watch film and debate

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Sudipto Sen's The Kerala Story in trouble, complaint registered against the makers

With the film set to release in theatres next Friday (May 5), lead star Adah took to social media to clear the air about all the negative feedback surrounding it. “Our film is not against any religion; it is against terror organizations. Our film is about girls being drugged, brainwashed, raped, trafficked, forcefully impregnated and raped again by multiple people. Eventually, the children they have are taken away from them and made suicide bombers. So, when you say the film has a political agenda or drives a propaganda, it only diverts the topic and trivializes it. The film is about life and death. I hope we can spread awareness to girls of all religions. And for those who still call it propaganda, I guess once the film releases on May 5, and they see it with all the facts, they will also change their mind,” said Adah.

Produced by Vipul Amritlal Shah, The Kerala Story releases in theatres on May 5.

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