Sudipto Sen’s directorial venture, “The Kerala Story”, has emerged as one of the biggest hits of 2023. However, the film has faced its fair share of controversy and bans due to its sensitive portrayal of religious conversions, ISIS, and love jihad. Initially banned in West Bengal and rejected by many theatres in Tamil Nadu, the film’s makers are now grappling with finding a suitable OTT platform to showcase their film.
Since its release on May 5, “The Kerala Story” has ignited discussions and polarised opinions with its exploration of religious conversions and ISIS involvement. Despite its success at the box office, the film’s producers have been unable to secure a favourable offer from any major OTT platform.
Sudipto Sen expressed his frustration, stating, “We are still waiting for a good, workable deal from any of the main OTT platforms. But so far, we have not received any offers worth considering. It seems the film industry has ganged up to punish us.”
“The Kerala Story” follows the journey of a Hindu woman from Kerala, portrayed by Adah Sharma, who is manipulated into embracing Islam and forcibly sent to Syria, where she becomes a victim of the ISIS terrorist organisation. The film, directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, has courted controversy since its trailer release, attracting significant scrutiny and critical evaluation.