Review: ‘The Kerala Story’ depicts a Kerala that is unfamiliar to most Malayalis.

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By Sreerag PS

06/05/2023

Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story shows an absolute lack of understanding of Kerala’s social fabric. It is Sen’s Kerala, as he wants it to be.

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The movie primarily tells the stories of three nursing college students, trapped and radicalised by Muslim men.

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Sen wanted his audience to believe that the men intended to convert women from other faiths to Islam and recruit them to ISIS.

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The 138-minute-long movie unfurls an Islamophobic narrative that is an extension of the narrative the Sangh Parivar wants to spread across the country.

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The audience will get a glance at some newspaper clippings as well as a cover image of the Kesari daily, the mouthpiece of the RSS.

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A movie said to be based on true events, cannot be shielded from criticism citing artistic liberty.

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Despite the vehement opposition and vigil shown by Islamic organisations to combat the radicalisation of Muslims in Kerala, the movie fails to recognise their efforts.

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No Malayali character with a Muslim name who is shown in good light. The movie also did not forget to take on communism.

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The movie is not expected to make any significant impact on Kerala society.

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However, it undoubtedly will boost the ongoing hate campaign by Hindutva forces against Kerala and the Muslim community in general.

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The movie can only be viewed as propaganda intended to stigmatise Islam and the state of Kerala.

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