Ever since the trailer for the latest Bollywood film “The Kerala Story” was released, it has garnered widespread attention due to its terror-filled storyline which delves into the mystery surrounding missing girls. The film features Adah Sharma in a pivotal role and has generated significant social media buzz.
However, concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the film’s depiction of events, particularly regarding the number of women who were reportedly forcibly converted and recruited by ISIS in Kerala. The film has faced calls for a ban since the release of its teaser on November 2nd last year.
Cast:
Starring Adah Sharma in the lead role as Shalini Unnikrishnan, “The Kerala Story” also features Yogita Bihani, Benedict Garrett, Bhavna Makhija, and Siddhi Idnani in key roles.
The film is directed by Sudipto Sen and co-written by Suryapal Singh and Vipul Amrutlal Shah, with Sen also serving as a writer. Produced by Ashin A. Shah of Sunshine Pictures, the movie is eagerly anticipated by audiences.
Story:
“The Kerala Story” portrays the journey of a group of women from Kerala who allegedly convert to Islam and join the ISIS.
The movie is based on the controversial theory of “love jihad,” which asserts that thousands of women from Kerala are being converted to Islam and recruited by ISIS.
Trailer:
The trailer for “The Kerala Story” has been unveiled by its creators, showcasing Adah Sharma as the character Shalini Unnikrishnan, a cheerful girl whose life takes a harrowing turn. Despite the controversy surrounding the film’s subject matter, the trailer looks promising, and the performances of the actors appear to be very authentic.
The Kerala Story Release:
Despite generating significant controversy, “The Kerala Story” has managed to make a strong start at the box office following its theatrical release. In fact, the movie’s advance bookings made it the fifth-highest grossing film of 2023.
Audience reactions to the film have been mixed, with some viewers considering it to be propaganda while others found it to be an eye-opening experience. While the film’s storyline is compelling, the screenplay and background music are not up to par.
Lead actress Adah Sharma and the supporting cast members deliver decent performances, but nothing out of the ordinary. Overall, both the script and acting in the movie could have been improved.
The Kerala Story ‘Banned’ in West Bengal:
West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has declared that “The Kerala Story” will not be allowed to be screened in the state due to its controversial subject matter, even as it was made tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have both halted screenings of the film.
According to Banerjee, the movie has the potential to create discord and disturb the state’s law and order situation. On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with the film’s team and praised their work.
The Kerala Story Box Office Collection:
“The Kerala Story” is proving to be a box office hit, earning 8.03 crores in net revenue on its opening day in India. It saw a significant increase of 50% on the second day, collecting 11.22 crores, and went on to earn an impressive 16.40 crores on Sunday, resulting in a fantastic first weekend.
Even after passing the Monday test, the film continued to perform well, earning more than its opening day and gaining strength as the days passed.
The Kerala Story Day Wise Report | Collection (India Nett.) |
Day 1 | 8.03 Crores |
Day 2 | 11.22 Crores |
Day 3 | 16.40 Crores |
Day 4 | 10.07 Crores |
Day 5 | 11.14 Crores |
Day 6 | 12 Crore |
Total | 68.86 Crores |