Mumbai: Producers & director of ‘The Kerala Story’ presented 26 victims of Islamic radicalization in a press conference

Vipul Shah and Sudipto Sen, producer and director respectively of the blockbuster film “The Kerala Story,” presented 26 victims of Islamic radicalisation in a press conference held on May 17. These women were specially brought from Kochi to Rang Sharda Hall in Bandra, where they were presented before the media.

Shruti, one of the women associated with Aarsha Vidya Samajam, revealed that their organization has successfully reintegrated over 7,000 women back into the Sanatan fold in Kerala. In response to criticism regarding the claim of 32,000 non-Muslim women being converted to Islam, Shah stated people called the film ‘propaganda’ but the audience made it clear what it is for them.

The makers during the press conference said, it is their responsibility to give voice to the victims of Love Jihad, they cannot just sit back by making the film. They have brought the victims from real life. The 26 victims were not just from Kerala but the whole of India.

One of the victims, Anagha Jaigopal, said, ‘I was pregnant two years ago. I was in the same situation as Shalini (played by Adah Sharma in the film). There were many girls in the hostel like Asifa shown in the film, who used to bring the angle of religion into normal conversation. They used to confuse us about things. Due to a lack of knowledge of religion, I could not present my side.’

‘These (Muslim) girls used to say that God is the only one that is Allah. They give me the Hindi version of the Quran, and after reading it I fell prey to their nefarious agenda. I became anti-Hindu. Left the family and adopted Islam completely. My family used to worship Bhagwan at home, and I used to offer namaz on the terrace. I had vented my anger on my cousin’s daughter because she was not allowing me to offer Namaz.’

She added, ‘I started calling the people who gave birth to me Kafirs. They used to fall at my feet and beg me not to do this, but I used to tell them that if you people will not accept Islam, you will go to Jahnnum (hell). This film seems like my story to me. I just wanted to cry after watching this.’

Chitra, one of the victim girls, said, “Not only girls but boys were also among the convertees. Those who got converted left their families completely. When the family members noticed the change in them, they brought them to the ashram. There is no record of these people because no one wants to talk about it, it is hard to recount the memories after coming out of such a situation. They also want to keep their identity hidden.

All these victims returned to the Sanatan fold at Aarsh Vidya Samaj. Notably, In 24 years, 7000 people returned to their religion. Shruti, a victim, said – under the Aarsh Vidya Samaj, those girls who have been converted are helped. From 1999 to 2023, about 7 thousand people have been sent back home. These people had adopted Islam.

“This press conference marks the beginning of an effort to substantiate the claim of large-scale conversions of women to Islam, not just in Kerala but across the nation,” Shah stated.

He also announced a donation of Rs 51 lakhs to the Samajam to support their “Protect Our Daughters” campaign. Shah urged every Indian to watch “The Kerala Story” with their families, emphasizing that the film isn’t solely about three girls who were converted and radicalised but also sheds light on the fate of thousands of other women across India.

A section of political parties also questioned the makers of The Kerala Story over their now-withdrawn claim that 32,000 women from Kerala were converted to Islam and recruited to ISIS. Reacting to the same, Shah said, “We told the story of 32,000 women through these 3 women. People tried to discredit us by picking up 32,000. What we were saying is that this is a story of 32,000 through 3 women.”

Actress Sonia Balani, who played the role of Asifa, said, ‘We are not concerned with the collection of the film. This was my first Hindi film. Such opportunities are rare when you get a chance to work in such films. Yesterday my grandmother saw this film. After watching the film, she told me that this religious thing is right.’

We should know about our religion. A Muslim said that the film did not show Islam in the wrong light, but showed how it was being misused. Conversion happens in many religions but their aim is not to send them to ISIS, but there are stories of people landing in ISIS after accepting Islam.

Lead actor Adah Sharma said, “I was shown videos of numerous girls thrown in tankers where they die. Only women who can be used for the sex trade, machinery to reproduce kids, kids who can become terrorists and suicide bombers were kept alive.”

Director Sudipto Sen said, “…Two Keralas exist inside Kerala – one which is like a picture, postcard, backwaters, beautiful landscape, Kalaripayattu, dance, martial arts. The other Kerala – the northern part of Kerala – Malappuram, Kasaragod, Kozhikode which connects to south Karnataka including Mangaluru, is a terror-network hub…”

Notably, the film The Kerala Story revolves around a Hindu woman life from Kerala who is converted to Islam and trafficked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The movie has been facing backlash from a section of political parties and groups which have claimed that the film is not based on facts, and propagates hatred against the Muslim community. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had declared a ban on The Kerala Story in the state.

Notably, the film is all set to be released in the United Kingdom after India.