The Kerala Story, a film directed by Sudipto Sen and starring Adah Sharma, stirred controversy prior to its release. The movie claimed that many young women in Kerala were at risk of being brainwashed into joining terrorist organizations. Right from the initial teaser, many accused the filmmakers of presenting inaccurate facts. Actress Shefali Shah, the wife of the film’s producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, also faced backlash and online trolling for sharing the trailer on her social media platform. In a recent interview with the Indian Express, the Delhi Crime star opened up about the controversy and discussed whether she would have agreed to be a part of the film.
Talking about the criticism, the actress said, “I don’t have anything to do with politics. I normally get a lot of love and respect on social media. I shared the trailer of it, I cannot tell you how badly I got trolled for it. Like people hated me overnight.”
Revealing if she was offered a part in The Kerala Story, Shefali Shah added, “If I was offered it with evidence, why not? It is as important to be told as Delhi Crime is. But if there was no evidence and if it was imaginary, I would be very wary of it. But I know for a fact that there was, I have read the script, I have gone through all those statements that have come from the government, so why not? And I would have played it even if it was a Hindu woman. According to me, it was about a woman, it was not about a religion, it was about terrorists.”
The makers initially depicted it as the story of over 32,000 Kerala women allegedly influenced by Islamic fundamentalists, which many believed was not the case and they received online backlash. Later, in response to the escalating controversy, the number was revised down to just three women.
During the time, The Kerala Story producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah spoke about the issue and told Mid Day, “When we present our facts and figures, people will get the answers. Whether they choose to accept them or not is their choice. Director Sudipto Sen has researched extensively for four years before starting the film. We are making a film on a big tragedy. If I feel that I want to tell this story as a filmmaker, then, discussion on whether I am pro-establishment or not will only reflect an individual’s point of view.”
Apart from Adah Sharma, the movie also featured Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani in key roles.
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