The Kerala Story star Adah Sharma delighted fans with news of the imminent release of her latest film, on her instagram and wrote “The Kerala Story,” on the popular streaming platform ZEE5. Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Shah, the film is slated to premiere on February 16.
“FINALLY! SURPRISE!! The most anticipated film is dropping soon on ZEE5! #TheKeralaStory premieres on 16th February, only on #ZEE5,” Adah Sharma exclaimed in her post, fueling anticipation among her followers.
“The Kerala Story” delves into the lives of three young women—Shalini (played by Adah Sharma), Nimah (portrayed by Yogita Bihani), and Geetanjali (enacted by Siddhi Idnani)—who find themselves ensnared in a web of manipulation orchestrated by their roommate, Asifa (depicted by Sonia Balani), leading to their conversion to another religion.
The narrative unfolds in two parts: the initial segment depicts the circumstances surrounding the girls’ conversion, while the latter half follows Shalini’s transformation into Fatima Ba—a member of a terrorist organization—and her subsequent imprisonment in Afghanistan. The film also sheds light on the disturbing trend of young men being radicalized to lure Hindu and Christian women from Kerala, converting them and coaxing them into conflict zones, an unsettling phenomenon that unfolded between 2018 and 2019.
The Kerala Story is the highest grossing female led film worldwide
Expressing her sentiments, Adah Sharma commended the efforts of the film’s creators, stating, “The courageous makers of ‘The Kerala Story,’ Vipul Shah and Sudipto Sen, deserve applause for their dedication in bringing this film to life. Following its remarkable success at the box office, making history as the highest-grossing female-led film worldwide, we eagerly anticipate its release on ZEE5.”
Echoing her excitement, Vipul Amrutlal Shah remarked, “After the tremendous success at the box office, the demand for ‘The Kerala Story’ on OTT has been overwhelming. The wait is finally over, and I’m thrilled that audiences can now enjoy this riveting film from the comfort of their homes.”
Director Sudipto Sen emphasized the film’s significance, stating, “Addressing such a sensitive topic through cinema was a challenge we embraced wholeheartedly. ‘The Kerala Story’ offers a transformative viewing experience, shedding light on real-life stories and exposing harsh realities.”
However, the film hasn’t been without controversy. Following the release of its trailer, which claimed that 32,000 women had gone missing from Kerala, objections were raised regarding the accuracy of the figures. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denounced the portrayal as a ‘distorted story,’ prompting a temporary ban in the state, which was later lifted following a Supreme Court intervention.
Despite the hurdles, “The Kerala Story” emerged as a box office success, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative. As it gears up for its digital debut on ZEE5, the film promises to spark conversations and captivate viewers with its poignant portrayal of real-life events.