Here is everything you should know about The Kerala Story

Trailer claims 32,000 women in Kerala converted to Islamic terrorists. 

Controversy Erupts as 'The Kerala Story' Trailer Alters Plot from 32,000 Women to 3 Girls

Teaser of Controversial Film 'The Kerala Story' Receives Widespread Criticism and Outrage

In response to the public outcry, the filmmakers made alterations to the trailer to remove the controversial claim about the forced conversion of women. However, this move has not satisfied those who are still calling for a complete ban on the film. The Supreme Court will now decide whether to allow the release of the movie as scheduled or to halt its screening.

The controversy surrounding "The Kerala Story" highlights the sensitive nature of religious and political issues in India, where communal tensions can easily escalate. It also raises questions about the responsibility of filmmakers and artists to accurately portray real-life events and issues, while also balancing creative freedom and artistic expression.

Last week, a new trailer was released for the movie, claiming that it was a "compilation of the true stories of three young girls." This is a significant departure from the teaser uploaded on YouTube in November, which described the film as portraying the "heartbreaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 females in Kerala." Social media users, including Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking website Alt News, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, have pointed out this drastic change in the number of women allegedly converted into Islamic terrorists.

Alt News had previously reported that there was no evidence to support the claim that 32,000 women from Kerala had joined the Islamic State, adding further skepticism to the movie's claims. The controversy surrounding the film's trailer and its subsequent changes highlight the importance of accurate and responsible representation in media, especially when dealing with sensitive topics.

From 'Heartbreaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32000 females in Kerala! Coming Soon!' TO 'True story of 3 young girls from different parts of Kerala'.
Propaganda Movie teaser has NOW changed the description of 'The Kerala Story' on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/GIUAomaX5i

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 2, 2023

According to reports, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the upcoming film of being a tool of propaganda for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-led Sangh Parivar. He alleged that the movie was an attempt to depict the state as a hotbed of religious extremism by using the contentious issue of "love jihad." This accusation has added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding the movie's claims and the calls for a ban on its release.

Hindutva organizations promote the conspiracy theory of "Love Jihad," alleging a coordinated effort by Muslim men to seduce Hindu women and convert them to Islam. Tharoor tweeted that this narrative may apply to some regions but not to Kerala.

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to halt the release of The Kerala Story, alleging that the film propagates hate speech and constitutes audio-visual propaganda.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the petitioner to approach the Kerala High Court. The bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, currently reviewing a series of petitions calling for action against hate speech, noted that the film has received clearance and certification from the Central Board of Film Certification.

Meanwhile, another plea contesting the release of the movie is scheduled for hearing in the Kerala High Court on May 5.

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