Anurag Kashyap, a renowned filmmaker, has sparked controversy by criticizing 'The Kerala Story 2' as 'propaganda' and a greedy venture. In a recent media interaction, Kashyap expressed his disapproval of the film, questioning its authenticity and motives. During a visit to Kochi airport, he bluntly stated, 'The Kerala Story is bullsh*t propaganda.' This statement comes amidst the release of the sequel, which has faced scrutiny for its portrayal of women and potential incitement of religious tensions. The Kerala High Court has taken notice of the film's producers over a petition challenging the CBFC's certification, raising concerns about the film's impact on public peace and morality.
The petition argues that the film's promotional material depicts women from various states in distress, facing religious conversion. While the story spans multiple states, the title and marketing heavily associate terrorism, forced conversions, and population control with Kerala. The final line in the teaser, 'We will not tolerate it anymore... we will fight,' is seen as a call to action that could incite violence between communities. The CBFC's approval process has been questioned, as the film seemingly avoided scrutiny that could have addressed potential harm to community peace and state pride, despite past legal battles.
The producers, Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Kamakhya Narayan Singh, have defended the title, explaining that it aims to expose a broader conspiracy of manipulative conversions across India. However, Anurag Kashyap's comments highlight a growing debate about the film's intentions and its potential to exploit sensitive issues for commercial gain. As the controversy unfolds, the film's impact on public perception and the film industry remains a topic of intense discussion and debate.
