The Kerala Story is becoming more and more controversial each day. There has also been talk about the movie potentially getting banned. However, is it really just a religious movie to create hate between two religions, or is it something entirely different? Find out that in this, my unbiased review of the Kerala Story.
Before going to review, I would like to point out the. Everything that you read here is my personal opinion on the movie, and it is in no way influenced by any other person, party, or organization. I am not a movie critic but a regular movie fan who loves to be entertained through good cinema. So, let’s get to it.
Basic Details
Directed by: Sudipto Sen
Writers: Suryapal Singh, Sudipto Sen, Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Release Date: 5 May 2023
Run Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Overall Rating:
Cast
- Adah Sharma – Shalini Unnikrishnan/Faima Ba
- Bhavna Makhija – Bhagyalaxmi
- Devadarshini Chetan – Shalini’s mother
- Pranali Ghoghare – Shaziya
- Saniya Mir – Misbha
- Siddhi Idnani – Geethanjali Menon
- Sonia Balani – Asifa
- Usha Subramanian Saksena – Geetanjali’s Mother
- Yogita Bihani – Nimah Mathew
Overview
First of all, I would like to say that all religions have their own beliefs, and they are beautiful in their own way. Unfortunately, some people use fear of god and religious punishment to force their own beliefs on someone else, and that’s exactly what the Kerala story is trying to tell.
For example, if someone doesn’t like someone else’s dressing style or choice of food, then they will use religion as an excuse to force their own choices on that person.
Many critics out there are claiming that it’s a religious movie. However, I feel like that’s not true at all. It’s not just a religious movie; in fact, I believe the movie would have worked even if you take religion out of it. Many people have misunderstood the actual message that the movie is trying to convey.
The Kerala story tries to expose terrorism and its twisted mindset, as well as the hatred toward women. I believe the Kerala story is more of a guide movie for young Indian teenage girls on what they should avoid to become victims of terrorism and hate crimes.
As well as it’s also an eye opener for Indian parents who have become so modernized that they forget to teach their kids “how to be safe while dealing with the real world?”
Story
The story is based on true events and does show some real characters in the end. There are several people who are claiming that this fake story; however, if you look at the news reports, you will find lots of cases just like this one. So, it doesn’t really matter true or false; this is much much-needed story to bring people’s attention to the serious issues happening in Kerala as well as other parts of India.
The story revolves around the Kerala girl named Shalini Unnikrishnan (Adah Sharma). The movie starts with her getting arrested as a terrorist. While getting interrogated, she reveals a horrifying story of how she was manipulated by a terrorist organization to convert to Fatima Ba and later to become a suicide bomber.
Shalini joins a hostel in order to study and become a nurse, where she meets three new friends, Nimah Mathew (Yogita Bihani), Geethanjali Menon (Siddhi Idnani), and Asifa (Sonia Balani). All four of them start talking and become friends immediately. However, as it turns out, Asifa was actually part of a terrorist organization, and she was just disguised as a student to manipulate these three innocent girls.
Asifa slowly starts laying the groundwork and starts telling other girls about her religion, and starts scaring them by mentioning scary punishment from God. Later, she also uses love as a weapon to trap these girls further. She subtly brings in three guys from her organization disguised as her cousins and friends. They use their charm and sophisticated approach to make the girls fall in love with them. Asifa also gives the drugs to the girl in the name of anxiety pills, as well as uses several other techniques to manipulate all three girls and make them believe that if they don’t convert to Islam, they will be punished by God (Allah).
Shalini, Nimah, and Geethanjali had different religious beliefs and completely different types of personalities. The movie uses their diversity to brilliantly explain how such manipulation and terrorist action can completely ruin the lives of innocent girls.
The story also showcases modern parents’ role in such accidents and their irresponsibility toward their children. Later, the Movie shows the pain and agony parents had to suffer due to such crimes against their children. There is a really good lesson in this story for both parents as well as young teenage girls. Lastly, the movie also takes a dig at the Indian law and police force and their inability to help the victims.
For the climax, there is no heroic ending but rather a more realistic approach, which works perfectly with the theme of the movie and surely will give you something to think about.
Overall, The Kerala Story tries to showcase terrorist activities being committed in the name of religion rather than trying to defame anyone. The story is full of thrills and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Acting
The Kerala Story might not have been as good and as convincing if it hadn’t been backed by solid acting from the entire cast. I will try to go over each actor and character and tell you how they performed the most.
Adah Sharma (Shalini Unnikrishnan/ Fatima Ba)- From a Naive girl with a single mother, Shalini Unnikrishnan, to becoming Fatima Ba and then becoming Victim Shalini Unnikrishnan, she is brilliant throughout the movie.
Adah Sharma nails every single part of the story with her solid acting skills and makes the entire story very convincing, something that was very crucial for this movie. Her accent of a Kerala girl was also on point and sounded very genuine, well, at least to me.
Yogita Bihani (Nimah Mathew) – She is playing the role of a free-spirited catholic girl named Nimah Mathew. She doesn’t really have as much screen time as other characters. However, she played her part in the movie very well.
Siddhi Idnani (Geethanjali Menon) – Siddhi Idnani plays the role of sort of atheist girl with a bold personality. And I have to say that she does look totally bold and full of confidence throughout the movie. Geethanjali has some challenging scenes with her father, which can be quite tricky to perform; however, Siddhi has executed them very well.
Sonia Balani (Asifa) – Asifa’s character is written as an antagonist in the movie, which means the audience has to feel remorse toward her. Sonia Balani’s Acting does get the job done here. Her acting as a bad guy is totally on point, and most people will surely dislike her character.
Devadarshini Chetan (Shalini’s mother) – Shalini’s character goes through 2 major changes in the movie, which also have an impact on her mother, making Devadarshini’s acting very important. Devadarshini plays the role of a single Hindu mother as well as the victim’s mother effortlessly, with lots of emotions.
There isn’t any big superstar in the movie, but all these actors performed beyond my expectations. Adah Sharma is taking on the next level in the movie, and Kerala Story will surely help her acting career.
Direction and Technical Aspect
This is where The Kerala Story struggles a bit. Sudipto Sen’s direction is mostly good, but there is one thing that could have been better. For example, the entire film is filled with violent scenes, which can provoke the audience’s mind. All the scenes were too open and graphic; they could have certainly done a better job with these scenes.
Another major flow is the lack of good character from the Muslim community who isn’t a Terrorist. Mind you, the Kerala story in no way claims that all Muslims are bad, but they could have shown this by adding a couple of normal Muslim people who aren’t part of a terrorist organization. Such Characters would have definitely saved the movie from a big controversy.
Coming back to the good part of the movie, the cinematography and choice of location are jaw-dropping. The way the movie showcases some of the fantastic Middle Eastern locations with brilliant camera work is mind-blowing. Strictly speaking, about the cinematography, The Kerala Story looks as if it came straight from Hollywood.
The Music and soundtracks are decent too. The Kerala story uses a few songs to enhance the scenes from the movie. While the song “Tu Mila” catches Kerala vibes, “Pagal Parindey” perfectly syncs up with the theme of the movie. Most songs aren’t really too flashy or memorable, and they simply just fade in the background, which is a good thing for such movies.
The Kerala story is filled with thriller scenes, which makes sound effects a very crucial part of the movie. They have done a good job with it, and it will totally grab your attention.
Conclusion
So, now time for the final question. Should you watch Kerala Story or not?
Well, I have a very simple answer for you: if you are against terrorist brainwashing and their cruel crimes against humanity, especially women, then the Kerala Story must be a watch film for you. Sure, the Movie could have done some things better to avoid conflict between the two religions.
However, it’s certainly not a bad movie, and it doesn’t deserve to be banned. Ultimately, it will all come down to your own personal perspective; you can see it as a religious hate movie or a movie that despises terrorism and crimes against humanity. I would leave that up to you.
