The Kerala story Film Review: A fantastic movie based on truth or a mere communal agenda?

The Kerala story Film Watch Online:The Kerala Story , released on 5th May has sparked a debate, dividing the indian audience on the basis of their reviews. The film , produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Sudipto Sen, has been in controversial arena before it's release. The film was in controversy due to it's alleged claim that 32,000 women in Kerala have been brainwashed , converted to Islam and provoked to join the terrorist groups like ISIS. While the CM of Kerala has Pinarayi Vijayan said that the movie is a propaganda made by Sangh Parivar, spreading false claims and hatred.

What is the plot of the movie?

 The story showcases four women in a nursing college in Kasaragod. Two of them being hindus - Shalini ( Adah Sharma) and Geetanjali (Siddhi Idnani), one christian - Nimah( Yogita Bihani) and one muslim - Asifa ( Sonia Balani). The film is based in Kerala and revolves around conversions of girls and getting them involved into ISIS. Asifa has an agenda and starts brainwashing her roommates, trying to convert them , telling her roommates that girls who wear hijab are safe from lustful eyes of men. The other three are brainwashed and get involved with muslim men who are depicted as evil.Shalini eventually gets pregnant , converts to islam and marries a man who has not impregnated her, ends up getting involved in a group of women who are sex- slaves or suicide bombers . Geetanjali who was also told to convert, refuses and then dies by suicide after her terrorist boyfriend circulates her nude pics. The story depicts how the innocent girls fall into the trap of terrorist groups.

The girls can be seen discussing religions, Gods, rituals and sex before marriage.

What the reviews say?

The reviews have been a mix of opinions. While some people are calling the film a  " fantastic, well directed, truth- telling, eye-opening, a must-watch movie, others are labelling it as a" mere propaganda or an agenda against a community,  hate spreading, a whatsapp university story."

According to the Indian Express , the movie is poorly-made , poorly-acted rant. While the NDTV movies has reviewed the film as no more than a lengthy whatsApp forward in the guise of the movie, giving it a half star. The Times of India gave it a 3- star saying Adah Sharma has delivered a brave and poignant performance in a thought provoking film.

The netizens are confused whether the movie is actually based on a gross truth or just a hatred spreading tool, cashing sentiments of people.