The Kerala Story | Business Upturn

Dunki to Love Storiyaan: OTT releases to binge watch this weekend

Shukrta Vaigankar — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:09:20 +0000

Looking for the most recent Bollywood films to stream on OTT platforms this weekend? Look no further!

Here’s a list of all the new Bollywood 2024 releases available this week on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and other platforms.

Dunki on Netflix

Rajkumar Hirani directed and edited the 2023 Indian Hindi comedy-drama film. The screenplay, co-written by Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, and Kanika Dhillon, is based on the concept of “donkey flight,” an illegal immigration method. The film, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, Jio Studios, and Rajkumar Hirani Films, stars Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, and Boman Irani, with a special appearance by Vicky Kaushal. The story dives into the lives of those pursuing big aspirations abroad, only to face harsh reality. “Dunki” uses a mix of comedy and drama to show the challenges and tribulations that immigrants undergo, as well as their tenacity and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan on Zee5

Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan” is a funny Indian television sitcom and the sequel to the renowned classic “Khichdi.” This comedy series, produced by Hats Off Productions, follows the mishaps of the eccentric Parekh family, noted for their hilarious antics. Set against the backdrop of the fictional village of Hansa’s distinctive humour, the show follows the adventures of the delightful characters, including the lovably naïve Hansa, her well-meaning but bumbling husband Praful, and the rest of the hilarious Parekh clan.

Raisinghani Vs Raisinghani on Sony Liv

The plot revolves around Anushka, an ethical lawyer, and her ambitious colleague Virat, who both work for Anushka’s father’s law company. Their lives take a drastic turn when Ankita, a fresh intern, joins the firm with a hidden objective disguised as a job chance. “Raisinghani Vs. Raisinghani” promises to be an intriguing narrative that examines issues of ambition, ethics, and deception, thanks to the skilled direction of Anirudha Rajderkar and Bhavna Sresth, as well as Anuraadha Tewari’s compelling writing. Featuring a superb ensemble cast led by Jennifer Winget, Reem Shaikh, and Karan Wahi, the series is set to captivate audiences with its intriguing storyline and dynamic performances.

Love Storiyaan on Amazon Prime Video

It’s a compelling documentary-style online series that tells the true love tales of ordinary people. The series, created by famous filmmaker Karan Johar, is a sincere examination of love in all its manifestations, highlighting the unique travels and experiences of couples from all backgrounds.

“Love Storiyaan” is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on February 16, 2024, and promises to fascinate spectators with its honest narrative and intimate representation of love’s triumphs and sorrows. The series provides viewers with a glimpse into the lives of these couples by combining intimate interviews, reenactments, and cinematic storytelling techniques, showcasing the universal themes of passion, camaraderie, and resilience. With Karan Johar at the helm, spectators can expect a visually gorgeous and emotionally powerful viewing experience.

“Love Storiyaan” goes into the depths of human emotions and relationships. Whether it’s about long-distance love, unorthodox romances, or enduring relationships, the series celebrates love’s ability to cross boundaries and defy expectations.

Aarya Season 3 on Disney Plus Hotstar

Aarya Season 3, Part 2, follows the captivating story of Aarya Sareen as she navigates the perilous underground while safeguarding her family. With intrigue, drama, and unexpected twists, the series digs further into Aarya’s intricacies as she faces new obstacles and foes. With excellent performances and a gripping storyline, Aarya Season 3 is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

The Kerala Story on Zee5

“The Kerala Story,” a 2023 Indian Hindi-language play directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, is a compelling story of a group of Kerala women. Coerced into converting to Islam and joining the Islamic State, their journey delves into the difficulties of identity, coercion, and the appeal of extreme ideas.

The film, which stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani, explores the emotional and psychological pain that these women confront as they manage conflicting loyalties, societal demands, and personal convictions. Against the backdrop of Kerala’s stunning landscapes and rich culture, the story develops with passion and poignancy, shining light on the harsh realities and hardships faced by individuals caught in the web of extremism.

The detailed portrayal of personalities and thought-provoking narrative in “The Kerala Story” stimulates contemplation on the complicated interplay of faith, identity, and radicalism in modern society. It provides a gripping investigation of the human experience amidst the turbulent forces of ideology and coercion, making an indelible impression on viewers.

Bhakshak on Netflix

Bhakshak is a 2024 Bollywood drama based on true events. Bhakshak is directed by Pulkit. The film stars Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava, and Sai Tamhankar in key parts. Bhakshak is a thriller-drama film about a journalist who is attempting to uncover the truth about the smuggling of girls by local goons.

Sam Bahadur on Zee5

Meghna Gulzar directed Sam Bahadur, a biographical war Hindi film. Shantanu Srivastava and Bhavani Iyer wrote the film’s dialogue and script alongside the director. This film was produced by Ronnie Screwvala under the label RSVP Films. Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra star in the film Sam Bahadur, which also includes Krishna Kanth, Neeraj Kabi, and many other actors in supporting roles.

Crushed on Amazon Mini TV

Now, brace yourselves for the explosive finish as the much-awaited fourth season premieres on February 9, 2024. Prepare to be swept off your feet by a fantastic cast that includes Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Aadhya Anand, Anupriya Caroli, Arjun Deswal, Naman Jain, Urvi Singh, and Chirag Katrecha. Their performances will tug at your emotions and leave you wanting more.

In response to Animal’s misogyny, Adipurush talks, The top six Bollywood controversies of 2023

Siddharth Chavan — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 18:01:37 +0000

From Adipurush’s dialogues to Animal’s date, here is a list of the 6 biggest controversies of Bollywood in 2023.
As we bid adieu to 2023, a year that stirred up several controversies and buzz within the Bollywood industry. We look at a year-ender package that delves into the most talked-about Bollywood controversies of the past twelve months. From Adipurush’s dialogues sparking debates to the actor-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s much-talked-about Koffee with Karan episode, here’s what kept the industry abuzz in the past year.

1. Adipurush dialogues

Despite being lauded as a grand retelling of the Ramayana epic, Om Raut’s high-budget project, Ramayana, turned out to be a box office disaster. The film faced criticism for subpar VFX, inadequate graphics, mediocre dialogues, and a lackluster plot, leading to disappointment among viewers anticipating the Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer. Even though the filmmakers made some dialogue adjustments after Adipurush’s release, the movie still bore the brunt of extensive trolling.

2. OMG 2 certification

OMG 2 became embroiled in a certification controversy with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanding 35 cuts, including transforming Akshay Kumar’s character from Lord Shiva to his messenger. Despite the filmmakers’ intention to secure a U/A certification for a broader audience, the film ultimately received an ‘A’ certificate, restricting viewership to those above 18. This triggered a debate on artistic freedom versus religious sensitivity, with some deeming the cuts excessive and others supporting the board’s cautious approach. Despite the controversy, the film was released in August 2023, albeit with limited accessibility.

3. Alia Bhatt lipstick statement

In a lipstick application tutorial, actor Alia Bhatt made a reference to her husband-actor Ranbir Kapoor recalling their dating days. She mentioned, “When we used to go out at night, he (Ranbir Kapoor) is like wipe that off because he loves the natural color of my lips.” Concluding that this was why she only left a tint by wiping off her lipstick with her fingers, Alia’s statement led to public labeling of Ranbir as controlling, with many saying that the actor is toxic.

4. The Animal debate

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Animal became the center of controversy towards the end of 2023. While actor Ranbir Kapoor’s performance impressed many, a segment of the audience found the movie objectionable. Criticisms included its portrayal of toxic masculinity, misogyny, a chauvinistic approach, unnecessary violence, and poor treatment of women, creating an online storm. The female lead, actor Rashmika Mandanna’s unclear dialogue delivery in the trailer added to the controversy, but after Animal’s release, viewers realized that her dialogue was in line with the film’s scene.

5. Deepika-Ranveer KWK episode

Filmmaker Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan, often dubbed as the controversial couch, featured the power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in its pilot episode this year. However, the episode stirred controversy when Deepika admitted to “seeing other people” in the initial phase of dating Ranveer. Although she clarified that she was “mentally committed” to her husband, the statement didn’t sit well with the public, leading to criticism of Deepika for using Ranveer as a backup option.

6. The Kerala Story

By showing forced religious conversions and the purported ISIS recruitment of thousands of women—a claim that is refuted by evidence and is perceived as encouraging love jihad conspiracy theories—the movie The Kerala Story provoked controversy. Supporters contended that it brought attention to legitimate concerns, while critics criticized it as Islamophobic and harmful to religious unity. The film was released in spite of legal hurdles and criticism from the Kerala state government, which sparked a continuing discussion about its influence and authenticity.

8 movies that will leave you shocked

Ankita Pradhan — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 10:43:06 +0000

1. The Kerala Story:

Sudipto Sen directs and Vipul Amrutlal Shah produces The Kerala Story, a 2023 Indian Hindi-language drama film. Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani star. The plot revolves around a group of Kerala women who are forced to convert to Islam and join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The video, marketed as a real story, is based on the Hindutva conspiracy theory of “love jihad” and erroneously claims that hundreds of Hindu women from Kerala have been converted to Islam and recruited by ISIS.

2.Lakshmi:

Lakshmi, based on true events, is a story of heroism and unfathomable bravery. A 13-year-old girl named Lakshmi is kidnapped and sold into prostitution. Thrown into this awful, inhuman world where she is raped and mercilessly abused, she barely survives thanks to the support of the other girls and her own determination to never give up. She is eventually rescued during a police raid. Against all difficulties, Lakshmi demonstrates bravery while everyone else fails. She stands up in court, defying every pressure – physical threats, extortion, and bribery – and succeeds in putting the traffickers behind prison in a landmark case in India.

3. Qissa

Anup Singh wrote and directed the 2013 Indian-German drama film Qissa in Punjabi. The film was released in Indian theatres nationally on February 20, 2015, as well as on DVD and VOD. At the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, the film was presented in the Contemporary World Cinema section and won the Netpac Award for World or International Asian Film.The film’s topic is centred on a Sikh man’s wish to have a son to carry on the family legacy.

4.Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women

https://youtu.be/pU_fZZmW_K0

Manish Jha wrote and directed the 2003 Indian dystopian tragedy film Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women. The film investigates the impact of female foeticide and female infanticide on gender balance and, as a result, societal stability and views. Its plot is based on real-life incidents of gender imbalance and economics leading to familial polyandry and bride buying in some parts of India. It depicts a future in which an Indian village is populated entirely by males as a result of female infanticide over the years.

5.Tahaan – A Boy With a Grenade

Santosh Sivan’s Tahaan – A Boy With a Grenade is an Indian Hindi-language drama film. The story revolves around a young boy and his pet donkey. It is a fable-like adventure of the titular eight-year-old child, whose existence centres around the pursuit of true meaning in his small universe. Purav Bhandare plays the young boy in the film. The rest of the cast includes Anupam Kher, Sarika, Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna, and Victor Banerjee. The film was shot on location in Jammu and Kashmir.

6.Parzania

https://youtu.be/zfEYHULfvRc

Rahul Dholakia co-wrote and directed the 2007 Indian drama film Parzania, which also starred David N. Donihue. Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika played the key parts, with Corin Nemec and Raj Zutshi providing assistance. The film was shot in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad on a $700,000 budget.The film is said to be based on the true story of Azhar Mody, a ten-year-old Parsi boy (represented in the film as the character Parzaan Pithawala), who went missing after the Gulbarg Society massacre on February 28, 2002, which killed 69 people and was one of many events in Gujarat’s communal riots in 2002.The film follows the Pithawala family as they search for their missing kid.On November 26, 2005, the film premiered at the 36th India International Film Festival in Goa, before being distributed worldwide on January 26, 2007.

7. Aligarh :

Aligarh is a 2015 Indian biographical drama film written and directed by Hansal Mehta. The lead actors are Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao.

The film received a standing ovation during its international debut at the 20th Busan International Film Festival. On February 26, 2016, the film was released globally to critical acclaim.For his depiction of Ramchandra Siras, Bajpayee received critical acclaim and a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor

8. Ugly:

Anurag Kashyap’s 2013 Indian Hindi-language thriller film Ugly was written, co-produced, and directed by him. Phantom Films and DAR Motion Pictures co-produced the film, which stars Rahul Bhat, Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure, Vineet Kumar Singh, Girish Kulkarni, Surveen Chawla, and Anshika Shrivastava. It also stars TV actor Abir Goswami in his final cinematic appearance before passing away in 2013. Ugly tells the narrative of a struggling actor Rahul Varshney (Bhat), whose daughter Kali (Shrivastava) disappears and the events that ensue over the course of a week.

Adah Sharma reveals that she was asked to have a nose job, says “It’s too late to make a change now”

Shukrta Vaigankar — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 20:03:32 +0000

Adah Sharma, an actress, has received praise for her work in “The Kerala Story.” with “1920,” she launched her career in 2008. She appeared in films like “Hasee Toh Phasee,” “Commando 2,” and “Commando 3” after that. Adah described how she was asked to get cosmetic surgery and change her appearance in a recent interview to make her appear more ‘lovely’ on screen.

People advised me to get a nose job and get a gorgeous nose, Sharma said to Mashable. Now that I’ve done films, everyone will notice how well my nose is doing. It’s too late to make a change now.

In the movie “The Kerala Story,” it is claimed that thousands of young women were indoctrinated into enlisting with the Islamic State (IS) and travelling to places like Syria and Afghanistan.

It is produced by Vipul Shah’s Sunshine Pictures and directed by Sudipto Sen.

In addition to Adah Sharma, lead actors Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani also appeared in the film. The movie’s trailer, which implied that 32,000 women from Kerala had vanished and joined ISIS, ignited a huge uproar surrounding it. The controversial character from the trailer was later taken out in response to complaints, though. Later, it was described in the trailer as the tale of three Keralan ladies.

‘The Kerala Story’ and ‘Fast X’ combined success show impressive trajectory; Check out the box office collection

Banisitti Pratibha — Sun, 21 May 2023 13:32:47 +0000

The massive success of Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Pathan’ made the audience belief that it can be the highest grossing movie of the year. But the month of May has brought bundle of shock and surprise to the movie lovers. The two latest releases of the month, ‘The Kerala Story’ from Bollywood and ‘Fast X’ from Hollywood is showing an impressive trajectory in terms of box office collection.

‘The Kerala Story’ that has propagated many controversies even before it’s release it actually having an upward graph in terms of collection. As of now the movie has collected INR 187.40 crores and is on the verge to entering the 200 Crore Club. The movie has depicted a story of a common Indian girl and her journey towards an unknown darkness. The movie’s star cast includes Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, Sonia Balani, Devadarshini.

Now as we come to the latest release ‘Fast X’, this Hollywood movie is all set to cross the landmark of 100 crores. In the initial three days the movie collected 41 crores. Seeing this record it can be said that by this weekend the collection can touch 60 crores target and if the trajectory remains same then it won’t be surprising to see the movie entering the 100 crore club in next 10 days. The movie’s powerful cast which includes Vin Diesel, Jason Mamoa, Alan Ritchson, Rita Moreo, Michelle Rodriguez and others are one pf the biggest reson behind this.

Sonia Balani gets abusive messages for playing the role of Asifa in ‘The Kerala Story’

Sheetal Choudhary — Fri, 19 May 2023 12:25:49 +0000

The Kerala Story has been very sensational in the recent past of the ongoing controversies revolving around it. Although the movie is doing a spectacular job on the big screens, there is a part of the population that doesn’t agree with the film and states that it portrayed the Islam religion in the wrong light. Sonia Balani who plays the negative character in the film revealed that she has been receiving abusive messages for playing the part of the Muslim girl and giving out inappropriate statements.

In a recent interview she shared that when heard the script for the first time it made her feel numb and as it is a sad story that even affected her while reading the storyline, the actress decided on doing the film. She even stated that the film does not intend to hurt the religious sentiments of any religion. It’s for the people to perceive it as a true story and think about what the girls went through.

Further, she added by saying, “I have been receiving abusive messages because I have said many strong lines in the movie about all the Gods. I know there is a section which is not happy, but if they realize that it’s a true story and the motive is only to create awareness of those terrorist groups, then I hope that they can feel positive about it.”

The film is directed by Sudipto Sen and is set in Kerala. It showcases the true story of three college-going girls who were brainwashed and converted to Islam and sent to Syria for the terrorist organization ISIS. When being asked about the bans that the film has received in India itself, Sonia expressed that banning a movie is not a solution for everything and everyone can see that the movie is doing well irrespective of the restrictions and it seems like films that have quality content are liked by the audience even if it doesn’t include big celebrities.

SC stays West Bengal govenment’s ban on ‘The Kerala Story’

United News of India (UNI) — Thu, 18 May 2023 12:10:24 +0000

New Delhi, May 18: The Supreme Court in its order on Thursday stayed the West Bengal government’s May 8 order banning screening of film ‘The Kerala Story’.

A bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud passed the order after hearing from filmmakers and also from parties who opposed the movie of staying the film.

The Apex Court said, the appeals against refusal of HCs of Kerala and Madras to stay the film would be heard in July.

The Apex Court also directed that adequate security shall be provided to every cinema hall and requisite arrangement shall be made to ensure safety of movie goers.

“No express steps whether tacit etc shall be taken to prevent screening of the film,” the Apex Court said in its order.

The Apex Court asked the Tamil Nadu govt to provide adequate safety and security to each and every cinema hall for safe screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ and ensure safety of moviegoers. Tamil Nadu govt shall take all steps to thwart screening of the film, the SC said in its order.

The Apex Court also made it clear in its order that to put controversy regarding film to rest, disclaimers be added not later than 5 PM, May 20, 2023.

1. There is no authentic data to back up that the figure of conversion stands at 32,000.

2. The film is a fictionalised version of events.

‘The Kerala Story’ becomes second highest grossing movie of the year with 156 crores collection in 12 days

Banisitti Pratibha — Wed, 17 May 2023 12:47:22 +0000

On 17th May, Wednesday The Kerala Story has achieved another milestone by becoming the second highest grossing Hindi film. The news has been shared by trade analyst Taran Adarsh claiming that the spot has reached second spot after Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan. Till date the movie is successful in collecting INR 156.69 crores.

Taran Adarsh shared the tweet with a caption which shows the collection graph of the film. The caption read, “The Kerala Story is now the SECOND HIGHEST GROSSING HINDI film of 2023 … Overtakes TJMM and KBKJ to claim the second spot … [Week 2] Fri 12.35 cr, Sat 19.50 cr, Sun 23.75 cr, Mon 10.30 cr, Tue 9.65 cr. Total: INR 156.69 cr.”

#TheKeralaStory is now the SECOND HIGHEST GROSSING #Hindi film of 2023… Overtakes #TJMM and #KBKJ to claim the second spot… [Week 2] Fri 12.35 cr, Sat 19.50 cr, Sun 23.75 cr, Mon 10.30 cr, Tue 9.65 cr. Total: ₹ 156.69 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice pic.twitter.com/Ixwggms6QM

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 17, 2023

The movie, ‘The Kerala Story’ has surpassed the collection of Salman Khan starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor starrer Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar to be on the second position. Seeing the trajectory of the revenue the movie is most likely to enter in the 200 crore club by next week.

TOP 5
1. #Pathaan
2. #TheKeralaStory
3. #TuJhoothiMainMakkaar
4. #KisiKaBhaiKisiKiJaan
5. #Bholaa
NOTE: Data as on 17 May 2023. #India biz. #Hindi films. 2023 releases. Nett BOC. pic.twitter.com/1YLBeiFiOS

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 17, 2023

The movie depicts the story how innocent women are manipulated to join the Islamic State (IS) and are sent to countries like Syria and Afghanistan.

Along with praises and appreciation the movie was successful in evoking controversies too. The West Bengal the movie is banned claiming it distorted. Although BJP ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhad, Haryana has welcomed the movie open handedly.

Devoleena Bhattacharjee says her husband is Muslim and he liked ‘The Kerala Story’

Sheetal Choudhary — Sat, 13 May 2023 11:18:06 +0000

The Kerala Story got released on the 5th of May and it has become very controversial since its opening. Talking about the film, a girl took to Twitter and tweeted how she got separated from her boyfriend after watching it. The film directed by Sudipto Sen has become a matter of conflict and has aroused many religious disagreements.

Recently Devoleena Bhattacharjee watched the movie with her husband and tweeted on Twitter saying, “It’s not always like that. My husband is a Muslim and came with me to watch the movie and he appreciated it. He neither took it as an offence nor he felt it was against his religion. And I feel thats how every Indian should be like.”

The actress commented after the girl has stated her story saying, “My colleague’s friend Nidhi had an interfaith affair. She casually asked her boyfriend to watch Kerala Story. He not only refused but also abused her & accused her of being Islamophobic. She got scared & asked her bf why is he being so rude & how can she be Islamophobic when she is dating a Muslim. Her bf replied if she is not Islamophobic then she should convert to Islam & marry him.”

Its not always like that. My husband is a muslim & came with me to watch the movie & he appreciated it. He neither took it as an offence nor he felt it was against his religion. And i feel thats how every indian should be like. #TheKeralaStory https://t.co/Qr0NSd87X1

— Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@Devoleena_23) May 13, 2023

Further, the girl said, “She agreed. But, she still wanted to see the movie. So, she went to watch the movie with my friend. Right after the movie, she called her bf & broke up. This is the impact Kerala Story is having on society. This is why they want to ban the movie. Everybody is waking up.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@devoleena)

Devoleena Bhattacharjee got married to her gym trainer Shanawaz Shaikh in December 2022. She is exclusively known for her role in the Star Plus show Saath Nibhaaana Saathiya.

The Kerala Story rightfully shows how college-going girls in Kerala were brainwashed and converted to Islam and sent to Syria for ISIS. The film is currently banned in West Bengal and is not being broadcasted in theatres in Tamil Nadu.

‘The Kerala Story’ gives out a remarkable performance in week 1, gathers ₹81.36 crore, may cross a total of ₹200 crore soon

Sakshi Dhyani — Fri, 12 May 2023 07:54:52 +0000

Directed bySudipto Sen, ‘The Kerala Story’ seems to give an outstanding performance at the Box Office despite facing a lot of criticism and getting banned from many states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. From collecting ₹12.50 crore on Thursday, the film has gathered a total of ₹81.36 crores in the first week, making its performance much better than many other films released so far.

Starring Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani as the main characters, the movie is said to be based on real-life events. Many people expressed their disagreements and resentment after watching the official trailer of the movie, according to which 32,000 women from Kerala went missing and joined the terrorist organisation ISIS. However, after facing much protest, the trailer was later amended to focus on the lives of three young women, who were brainwashed to change their religion to Islam and later were forced to join the terrorist organisation ISIS.

Talking about the protest that the movie was facing, lead actress Adah Sharma spoke to ANI in an interview, “The story is really scary. The fact that people are calling it propaganda or are thinking about the numbers only above the missing girls is scarier. Instead, it would have been the opposite that we would have discussed that girls are missing like this and then given a thought about the numbers.”

According to movie critic and film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the movie is sure to collect a much higher collection in the upcoming days. He tweeted, “#TheKeralaStory is sure to collect a much higher number in its weekend 2 [collected ₹35.65 cr in Weekend 1]…Also, the film should comfortably cross ₹200 crore in #India, given their trends…strong possibility of hitting ₹250 cr.”

#TheKeralaStory puts up a PHENOMENAL TOTAL in Week 1… Day-wise biz – especially on weekdays – is an EYE-OPENER… Fri 8.03 cr, Sat 11.22 cr, Sun 16.40 cr, Mon 10.07 cr, Tue 11.14 cr, Wed 12 cr, Thu 12.50 cr. Total: ₹ 81.36 cr. #India biz. Nett BOC. BLOCKBUSTER. #Boxoffice… pic.twitter.com/xLGwso0XCO

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 12, 2023

The Kerala Story Box office collection Day 6: Sudipto Sen and Adah Sharma’s movie is doing quite well, Mints Rs. 68 Cr

Shukrta Vaigankar — Thu, 11 May 2023 05:46:27 +0000

Starring Adah Sharma The central character of The Kerala Story is a Hindu woman from Kerala who is misled and converted by Islamic acquaintances. The movie has been under scrutiny and is currently dealing with numerous threats and prohibitions because of its delicate theme. The Sudipto Sen-directed movie debuted in theatres on May 5 but was the subject of numerous disputes. The Kerala Story is performing well in theatres and has earned over Rs 60 crore.

The Kerala Story opened to mixed reviews from audiences on May 5 amidst all the controversy surrounding it. While some referred to it as “propaganda video,” other internet users found it to be rather enjoyable. The Kerala Story made Rs 8 crore on its first day of release. It obtained the fifth-highest score for a Hindi film in 2023 after Pathaan.

On Day 6, May 10, early estimations indicated that the movie was progressing. Apparently, it brought in Rs 12 crore at the box office. As a result, The Kerala Story has now earned a total of Rs 68.86 crore. On May 10, the occupancy rate for Hindi was 32.05% overall.

Adah Sharma plays a Hindu woman from Kerala who is persuaded into accepting Islam and travelling to Syria in the movie “The Kerala Story.” Afterwards, she is transferred to the ISIS Terrorist Organization, where she is subjected to torture. The movie is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Sudipto Sen. According to the film’s allegations, 32,000 women from Kerala were caught in this risky plan in real-life occurrences.

Ever since the trailer debuted, the movie has been under scrutiny. Following this, there have been an increase in resentment and demonstrations calling for the film’s ban. The trailer for the movie, however, now refers to the current stories of three women rather than the “story of 32,000 women.” That spurred additional discussion.

Watch the trailer below:

The Kerala Story actress Adah Sharma sings the Shiv Tandav stotram and says, “The energy that allows me to face bans”

Shukrta Vaigankar — Thu, 11 May 2023 05:31:06 +0000

Adah Sharma, a Bollywood actress who portrays the title character in the divisive movie ‘The Kerala Story,’ was recently spotted performing a pooja for Lord Shiva in a temple.
In response to calls for ‘The Kerala Story’ to be banned, the actress said that her adoration of the Lord provides her with the strength to deal with the calls.

The movie ‘The Kerala Story’ has caused a political scandal in the nation, with many politicians accusing it of fomenting hatred against a specific group of people.

Adah posted a video of herself reciting the Shiv Tandav stotram and worshipping Lord Shiva in a temple on her Instagram account on Thursday morning.

When she carried out the several rites of the puja, the actress was observed herself reciting the stotram.

“The secret of my energy,” “The energy that allows me to accept bouquets and face bans. Thank you all of you for making me yours,” Adah wrote along with the video.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adah Sharma (@adah_ki_adah)

According to ‘The Kerala Story,’ three ladies from the southern state were deceived into joining ISIS in Iraq and Syria by the use of “love jihad.”

A comprehensive ban on the movie has been demanded by a number of political figures. The film has already been outlawed in West Bengal due to concerns about law and order. Threatre owners in Tamil Nadu have declined to show the movie because of the uprisings there.

To encourage more people to see the movie in theatres, the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh proclaimed the movie tax-free.

With a box office haul of more than Rs 50 crore in just five days, “The Kerala Story” has risen to become one of the highest-grossing films of 2023 so far.

“It is just wrong” Anurag Kashyap tweets as Mamata Banerjee bans ‘The Kerela Story’ in West Bengal – Read Tweets

Sakshi Dhyani — Wed, 10 May 2023 08:02:50 +0000

Sudipto Sen’s latest movie ‘The Kerala Story’, released on May 5, 2023, which apparently is doing comparatively better than some of the Bollywood movies released this year, is still facing some solemn criticism from critics and states. And now the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee has banned the movie in her state, saying it was done to ‘maintain the peace in the state’. And Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap could not help but express his opinion about the action taken by Mamata Banerjee.

On Wednesday, the ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ director took over his Twitter to express his views as he tweeted, “You agree with the film or not, be it propaganda, counter propaganda, offensive or not, to ban it is just wrong,” he also shared a quote by French writer and philosopher Voltaire. It read, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

He further continued, “You want to fight propaganda. Then go in numbers and see the film that talks against misuse of social media and how inherent prejudice is weaponised to create hatred and unrest. It’s running in cinemas and is called Afwaah. Go make your voice stronger. Go make a point. That’s the right way to fight.”

Starring Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Bilani, and Siddhi Idnani, the movie is said to be inspired by real-life incidents, about 32,000 girls who were brainwashed to convert their religion to Islam and were forced to work for the terrorist organization, ISIS.

You agree with the film or not, be it propaganda, counter propaganda, offensive or not, to ban it is just wrong. pic.twitter.com/DxNFJC1N4w

— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 9, 2023

You want to fight propaganda. Then go in numbers and see the film that talks against misuse of social media and how inherent prejudice is weaponised to create hatred and unrest. It’s running in cinemas and is called “Afwaah”. Go make your voice stronger. Go make a point. That’s…

— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 9, 2023

The Kerala Story Box Office Collection: Film passes first Monday leaving ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ behind

Ankita Pradhan — Tue, 09 May 2023 08:37:19 +0000

The Adah Sharma-starrer ‘The Kerala Story’ passed the crucial first Monday test by earning double digits.

The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, has successfully capitalised on the controversy that has surrounded it. The film has managed to retain consistent collections even on its first Monday after providing one of the top five biggest debuts of the year, behind Pathaan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, and Bholaa.

According to film reviewer Taran Adarsh, The Kerala Story made a double-digit profit on its fourth day of distribution. The film made Rs 10.07 crore on Monday with a 27.57% occupancy rate in the Hindi-speaking market. However, The Kerala Story’s Monday numbers are nowhere like those of Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial release, The Kashmir Files, last year. After a hesitant start, the Anupam Kher-starrer picked up steam and grossed Rs 15.05 crore on its debut Monday.

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A post shared by Taran Adarsh (@taranadarsh)

The Kerala Story garnered Rs 16.50 crore on May 7, its highest-ever collection (so far). The following day, May 8, the controversial picture suffered a modest decline in box office earnings, although it still earned Rs 10.50 crore (nett) in India. This brings the four-day total to Rs. 45.75 crore. Today, May 9, The Kerala Story will cross the Rs 50 crore mark. On Monday, the Hindi version had a 27.57 percent occupancy rate.

A news conference was arranged by the film’s director, Sudipto Sen, and producer, Vipul Shah, after numerous Tamil Nadu theatres reportedly refused to screen the film due to objections.

Yogi Adityanath announces ‘The Kerala Story’ will be tax free in UP

Ankita Pradhan — Tue, 09 May 2023 06:23:45 +0000

The government of Uttar Pradesh mentioned on may,9 that the recently released film ‘The Kerala Story’ will be tax-free in the state.

'The Kerala Story' उत्तर प्रदेश में टैक्स फ्री की जाएगी।

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) May 9, 2023

Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister, made the announcement earlier today on Twitter. Uttar Pradesh is the second state to proclaim the contentious picture “tax-free.” Madhya Pradesh also made the film tax-free in the state last week on 6,May.

In a video message, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan remarked, “The film shows how the (life of) daughters who become entangled in the trap of love jihad are destroyed.” While there is already a law against (forced) conversion, the film raises awareness about the topic. This film should be seen by everyone, which is why the Madhya Pradesh government has declared the film tax-free, he added.

The chief minister’s secretariat also said that Adityanath could watch the film along with his cabinet colleagues at a special screening to be organised at Lok Bhawan. Raghvendra Mishra, UP BJP secretary, recently took 100 female students to see the film in Lucknow.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on the other hand, imposed an immediate ban on the screening in the state on Monday.The restriction was ordered to avoid any incident of hatred and violence according to a top state government official.

Meanwhile, the film’s producer, Vipul Shah, has stated that they will file a legal challenge to the TMC government’s ban.

West Bengal bans ‘The Kerala Story’ movie

News Desk — Mon, 08 May 2023 16:32:29 +0000

The West Bengal chief minister said Monday that the film The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, would be banned in the state. Since the trailer was released, the film has been mired in debate. The video received backlash as it falsely claimed that 32,000 females in Kerala disappeared after joining ISIS.

The government of West Bengal has made the decision to censor the film The Kerala Story. Mamta Banerjee said this was necessary to prevent acts of violence and keep calm in the state.

The Kashmir Files? What is it?” The aim is to put down one group. What exactly happens in The Kerala Story?”It’s a twisted tale,” she continued.

The film’s producer, Vipul Shah, has threatened legal action if that is really what she has done. After Banerjee declared the ban on the film, the government promised to “do whatever is possible within the provisions of the law to fight.”

The film’s main female characters are played by Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani. The film, directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, was at the center of a heated political debate.

The Kerala High Court previously remarked that a disclaimer stating that the film is a fictionalized and dramatized rendition of real events had been issued with the film. The disclaimer also made clear that the video makes no claims about the veracity of the events shown.

The Kerala Story: Creators to file a lawsuit after Tamil Nadu theatres cease screening the movie: Report

Shukrta Vaigankar — Mon, 08 May 2023 06:46:06 +0000

Tamil Nadu theatre owners said that they would not be showing the movie due to law and order difficulties in the midst of the boiling debate and controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story.’

The producers have now made the decision to file a lawsuit in court against the theatre owners, claiming that their action was “illegal.”

According to reports, the genuine story behind ‘The Kerala Story’ involves Kerala women who were duped into joining ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Sudipto Sen, the director of The Kerala Story, and Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer, are reportedly planning to file a lawsuit against Tamil Nadu theatre owners who decided not to exhibit the movie in the state. Sen further stated that his production company will in fact sue Tamil Nadu theatre owners.

Many theatres have cancelled the showings of ‘The Kerala Story’ throughout Kerala as well as Tamil Nadu, alleging problems with law and order.

On the other side, political figures in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and other states are organising special screenings. Even in MP, the movie has been considered tax-free.

The Kerala Story, which debuted in theatres on May 5, has been making ripples all over the nation since it was announced.

The controversy doesn’t appear to have any effect on the movie’s box office, either, as numerous theatres were packed over the weekend and additional midnight showings had to be added to keep up with demand.

The Kerala Story tells the story of three women who were duped and trafficked into the ISIS-controlled nations of Iraq and Syria. Adah Sharma, Siddhi Idnani, Sonia Balani, and Yogita Bihani play the lead roles in the movie.

‘The Kerela Story’ starring Adah Sharma showed decent opening at the Box Office collection Day 1

Sakshi Dhyani — Sat, 06 May 2023 07:44:05 +0000

Released on May 5, 2023, The Kerala Story, which claims to be based on true events that happened with around 32,000 women hailing from Kerala, is an Indian movie, made in the Hindi language. The movie revolves around the unfortunate story of Hindu girl, who is somehow manipulated by a group of Islamic friends, which results in the conversion of the girl from a Hindu to a Muslim. Later, the girl was forced to join the ISIS terrorist organisation.

Ever since the filmmaker of the movie released its trailer, the movie received a lot of reactions from the public, some were positive while others seem to be a little bit critical. This resulted in the initiation of many protests against the movie, claiming that it should be boycotted and hence, banned.

However, amid all of the controversies and negativities surrounding it, the movie surprisingly performed quite well on the Box Office collection on Day 1, at least compared to other Bollywood movies that are released lately. According to the early box office estimation, the film was screened with sufficient digits.

According to the reports by Sacnilk, the film bagged Rs 7.50 crore on its opening day, although the actual amount is not confirmed yet. The star cast of the Movie involves Adah Sharma, Yogita Bohani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Bakani in the lead roles.

Controversy surrounding Adah Sharma’s ‘The Kerala Story’

Ankita Pradhan — Mon, 01 May 2023 11:27:07 +0000

‘The Kerala Story’ has been in the spotlight since the trailer launched on April 25. The film, directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, depicts how ISIS abducted 32,000 Hindu girls from Kerala in order to make them victims of love jihad and recruit them for terror-related operations. Adah Sharma plays the lead role in it. Apart from Adah, the film also features Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani.

In “The Kerala Story,” Adah Sharma plays Fathima Ba, a Hindu Malayali nurse who is one of 32,000 women who went missing in Kerala and were later recruited by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) after being forced to convert to Islam.

“I’m glad we can spread awareness with this film, and people giving me so much love and support always feels good always. As for performance, I’d credit the makers entirely. The director, the writer, and the cinematographer,” said the actress.

Political leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the makers and said that ‘it may be *your* Kerala story. It is not “our” Kerala story.’ He further tweeted, “Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud and clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality.”

About the controversy that surrounds the film, Adah said, “Our film is about girls getting drugged, brainwashed, raped, human trafficked, forcefully impregnated, and then raped again by multiple people, sometimes with the child they deliver being taken away and them being made suicide bombers.”

“It’s about life and death!” For the few who are saying it’s propaganda, I guess once they watch the film with all the facts, they will say otherwise.”

Information source: NDTV