Review : The Kerala Story : Love Jihad and much more……!
A couple of years back #TheKashmirFiles was released which showcased the brutalities in the #Kashmir valley and the atrocities faced by the Hindus staying there resulting in they driven out of the valley. Recently released #TheKeralaStory too tries to tell a story of Hindus being targeted by #Love #Jihad and some of them used for terror activities of dreaded terrorist organisation based in #Syria. The facts and cinematic liberties make the script of this film. Though the film doesn’t paint a particular religion being the culprit, it does warn other religions to be aware of the factors prevalent in the society which may mar their happiness. The Kerala Story boldly states the names of the religions and the terrorist organisations.
The movie starts with Shalini Unnikrishnan (Adah Sharma) coming to a hostel of an Nursing college. She meets Namah (Yogita Bihani), Geetanjali (Siddhi Idnani) and Asifa (Sonia Balaji). This Gang of Four bond immediately and start spending time together. Asifa is a staunch Islamist and keeps brain washing other three girls stating how Islam is superior to other religions. She even plants muslim boyfriends wherein Shalini and Geetanjali get hooked to two guys (Pranav Misshra and Pranay Pachauri). Shalini becomes Fatima after conversion and Geetanjali too is brainwashed into conversion. Pregnant Shalini’s boyfriend gets vanished and she settles for someone else in the Muslim community to give name to her unborn child. One thing leads to another and she reaches ISIS hideout till she is arrested by US forces active in the vicinity. What happens next and in between is shown in multiple flashbacks.
The director Sudipto Sen and the producer and creative director Vipul Amrutlal Shah have shown the proceedings in flashbacks which are used intelligently. The story and screenplay by Suryapal Singh, Sudipto Sen and Vipul Amrutlal Shah claims to be inspired from the real incidents. Kudos to them to bravely stating the proceedings without any veil. The story about the plotted conversions, how hindu and Christian girls are trapped in the name of fake love and later used for terrorist activities is effectively shown. The dialogues are good but the background score should have been less jarring. Cinematography is excellent and the colourless desert land looks impactful. Adah Sharma carries the film on her shoulders very well and her portrayal is marvellous. The diction she has picked up is authentic and the vulnerability of character is correctly portrayed by her. Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani lend able support and Sonia Balaji stands out as Asifa.
The Kerala Story boldly talks about Love Jihad and warns other religions to be wary about it.
Rating : ***1/2