A low-budget Indian film centered on young women recruited by ISIS has sparked a strong controversy, contributing to its massive box office earnings in India. The film "The Kerala Story" is set in the southern Indian state of Kerala and follows the lives of three women who embrace radical ideologies and are sent to ISIS training camps.
Figures compiled and published by analyst Taran Adarsh on Twitter indicate that the film, featuring relatively unknown actors, has grossed over 450 million rupees ($5.50 million) in ticket sales since its release in theaters last Friday, a rarity in Indian cinema.
Producer and film analyst Girish Johar stated in an interview: "The box office is tough these days, but The Kerala Story defies norms in terms of revenue success."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the film, directed by Sudipto Sen, stating that it highlights "the consequences of terrorism." The states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, exempted the film from state taxes, making tickets more affordable.
However, critics argue that the film incites "negative feelings towards the Muslim minority in the country." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee banned the film in the state "to avoid incidents of hatred or violence," describing it as a "distorted story."
Nevertheless, the Kerala High Court rejected the ban on the film in the state where it is set, stating that it is "inspired by true events."
