Authentic Review of The Kerala Story

The Kerala Story || May, 2023  
Director: Sudipto Sen  
Starring: Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani  
Language: Hindi   

A film claimed to be made on facts and figures that has taken place in God’s own place, Kerala. Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the director of The Kerala Story to add a disclaimer stating that the story is fictional and it is not based on any true incident. 

Ever since the film came to the theatres there has been many speculations about its background and message. People associated with the movie claimed that the story of Shalini aka Fatima Ba is based on a real-life incident. But along with her Story the movie happened to claim many other facts that were taking place in the state of Kerala. People were joining ISIS and conversion taking place has become more frequent in the recent years. 

Yet, ‘The Kerala Story’ failed to show the aftermath of the conversion within the country and the repercussions of those who denied the conversion. The character of Nimah, a Christian girl who refused to be a Muslim. A follower and believer of Christianity met the horrible repercussions of her decision. She was drugged, raped and left to ask for justice. In ‘The Kerala Story’, we get to see that she is still struggling to get justice. No one have paid attention to that. 

Another incident that needs attention is that when Shalini, Nimah and Geetanjali were in the midst of the market/mall and were brutally assaulted by few young goons. In the most populous country of the world, girls aren’t safe on the streets of their own country. That’s a picture cinema is painting on the minds of people. Not a single person has taken a step forward to help those girls. The incident that made them seek help of another religion. It was not a fault of religion, government or parents but we as society have failed them. 

If someone is getting assaulted publicly, one should come forward to help the needful without relying on religion. The movie has failed to show awareness amongst the people. Those three girls went to seek safety in another religion rather than going to the Police. There are laws and regulations in our country to protect us from any sort of crime. The lack of awareness in the society forces naïve and gullible people to take steps that may turn their lives upside down. 

Regardless it’s low budget, this movie is writing history with its tight hold on cinemas. It is getting fame and name but not for all the good reasons. At places, the storyline of the film has received disdain from the public. It started riots at places, turned people against people because of the lack of awareness. With a sympathetic angle, this film tried to trap the emotional and sentimental side of the viewers. 

The Kerala Story movie teaches us to fight the terrorists and terrorism. But it failed to teach us that to attain a terrorist and terrorism free country, we need to kill the terrorism within us. Eradicating the evils present within our society would aid in a better place for religions to grow. People should be aware of the fact that there are rules and regulations above religion to protect us.   

Cinema have power to transform human mind, people tend to believe what they see rather than what they hear. Cinema goes well with the William Thackeray’s saying, “I’ve no brains above my eyes.” People can be easily misguided, motivated or infuriated through cinema. The Kerala Story movie highlighted the timid, meek and helpless nature of women with constantly presenting them as weak, helpless and emotional. The reason people seem to be connected with the storyline is the sympathetic angle of the cinematography. 

Cinema have power to create confident, independent, and self-reliant minds. But the Kerala Story has clearly failed to do so rather it presented a picture of educated young girls as vulnerable as they can be.   

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