The Kerala Story | Why An Indian Film On Islamic State is So Controversial

Many opposition politicians have criticised the film The Kerala Story, which is set in the southern state of Kerala. Some have referred to it as propaganda and an effort to sabotage religious harmony.

However, it has received backing from BJP officials in power, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised it at a recent political rally. Additionally, some party members have held screenings and given away free tickets.

Many mainstream critics have criticised the movie for its performances and "lack of nuance"; one said that the movie's ideas about Islam and [religious] conversion appeared to have come from hate-filled WhatsApp groups.

However, The film's box office success has been "extraordinary" considering its low budget and lack of major stars. He estimates that it has made more than 560 million rupees ($6.8 million, £5.4 million) in five days, which he describes as "a feat for any new release".

The Kashmir Files, another divisive film that became one of last year's biggest hits from Bollywood, has been compared to The Kerala Story. That movie, which focused on the 1990s exodus of Hindus from Kashmir, had a modest budget, no major stars, and was praised by Mr. Modi and other BJP leaders despite receiving mixed reviews.

Months before it was released, The Kerala Story started to cause controversy. When the teaser of the movie claimed it told the "heart-breaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 females" from Kerala who had joined the IS, some politicians from that state called for its ban in November.

This was refuted by the fact-checking website Alt News in a thorough investigation that found "no evidence" to support the claimed number.

As of November 2020, there were "66 known Indian-origin fighters affiliated" with the IS, according to the US State Department's Country Reports on Terrorism 2020. India's National Investigation Agency reported in September 2021 that 168 people had been detained in connection with 37 cases of "terror attacks, conspiracy, and funding" motivated by the IS's ideology.

The Kerala Story, however, was allegedly based on years of research and actual events, according to the filmmakers.

As the film's release date approached in April, it was confronted with legal issues and growing criticism. The Kerala High Court declined to block the release, but the film's producers agreed to take out the controversial 32,000 women number from the teaser. "The compilation of the true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala" was added to the description of the video on YouTube.

Indian officials claimed that four women from Kerala who had joined the IS were detained in Afghanistan in 2021, after the Taliban retook control of the country. Under the condition of anonymity, a police official from Kerala told the BBC last year that "not more than 10-15 women" had converted and left Kerala to join the IS since 2016.

Many fans of the movie praised it after it came out, saying it addressed a pressing issue that needed to be discussed. The movie is now tax-free thanks to two BJP-run state governments, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Others, however, claim it promotes Islamophobia and demonises Muslims.

An association of multiplex owners in the state of Tamil Nadu announced they would stop showing the movie due to backlash and low viewership. The Trinamool Congress-run state of West Bengal outlawed the movie because it "could be dangerous to peace and order".

A few filmmakers and BJP leaders, including at least two federal ministers, have criticised the ban. The Indian Supreme Court will hear a petition from the film's creators challenging the ban on Friday.

The movie has also sparked social media campaigns, with many users using the hashtags #MyKeralaStory and #RealKeralaStory to share examples of religious unity in Kerala.

Singer TM Krishna wrote that he has performed in front of "people who belong to diverse faiths" at "innumerable temples" throughout the state over the past 20 years.

Political cartoonist EP Unny posted a cartoon of a mosque, temple, and church coexisting in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, referring to it as "the real Kerala story."

Kerala, one of India's states with the most progressive reputations, is frequently praised for its interfaith harmony. 33 million people live in Kerala, and 27% of those are Muslims and 18% are Christians, according to the most recent census in 2011.

According to a number of politicians and Muslim leaders, the movie is a component of a larger effort to undermine religious harmony and "insult the state." Some people have also promised financial rewards to anyone who can offer evidence supporting the claims made in the movie.

Before the movie's debut, the state's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, voiced his criticism, saying that it appeared to have been produced "with the aim of communal polarisation and spreading hate propaganda." However, the movie has not been outlawed by his government.

When The Kerala Story was published, Karnataka, the only southern state where the BJP is in power, was in the midst of a contentious election season.

During an election rally last week, Mr. Modi praised the movie, saying that it attempted to "expose the consequences of terrorism in a society."

However, analysts assert that while these films make a lot of noise, they are not likely to have a significant political impact in the real world.

The Kerala Story, among other films, are more likely to appeal to viewers who already agree with its message, according to Sandeep Shastri, a political analyst and pro-vice chancellor at the Jagran Lakeside University in Bhopal.