Addressing all the controversies surrounding The Kerala Story, Adah Sharma, the film’s lead actor, defended the film’s intent and said that it was not meant to incite communal passion.
From actress Adah Sharma’s character (Shalini aka Fatima) burning her hijab to show her independence to Siddhi Idnani’s character (Gitanjali) spitting on her infidel father to convert her to Islam — The Kerala Story has many scenes that try to stir up communal passion and the Muslim community
. Called to present a fake narrative to the contrary. However, when asked if the makers took creative liberties while telling the story, Sharma says that it doesn’t feel like the film is telling the audience about Islam.
She explains, “The film The Kerala Story tells you about people misusing Islam for terrorism to join ISIS (terrorist groups) camps. So, anyone who thinks that the film is about Islam is wrong. The story of Kerala is not about religion but about terrorism, which has no religion. I have a lot of faith in my religion, so I will never bring down other people’s religion. We all live in a country where all religions are given shelter, and all of them should be highly respected. The Commando 3 (2019) actor also points out that it depends on how the audience perceives the film.
Referring to the film The Kerala Story about how terrorists go to any lengths to take girls to ISIS camps and become slaves of terrorists, the 31-year-old adds, “That was their ultimate goal. And while they use all ways and means to achieve that goal, I don’t think it has anything to do with religion. They are trying to manipulate people’s minds. I don’t see any religion asking them to manipulate people’s minds.”
While the Sudipto Sen directorial is getting support from some political parties and has been exempted in many states, there is a section that calls it hate speech and has banned it from showing in theatres.
Sharma is grateful for the polarizing opinions, as she feels it just shows that “we live in a country that allows us to express those opinions”.
The actor further adds, “I also feel that a film should be allowed to release where people are allowed to watch it. And then of course, make their opinion, negative and positive. And this is how society exists.”
As for spreading hate, Sharma says the film is really about hate: “We are spreading a lot of hate against terrorism. Personally, I think terrorism and bullying are the worst things ever. Also, drugging girls, brainwashing them…these are deadly things.”
She insists that The Kerala Story only tries to show all this and does not attack any religion. “People who are saying it’s about hate, yes, I want to spread a lot of hate against terrorism. And I hope we can all come together as a society. It should be humanity against terrorism,”
