Why is The Kerela Story so controversial: Decoding the “32,000” claim made by Adah Sharma’s film

New Delhi: Adah Sharma’s The Kerela Story has dethroned Shahrukh Khan’s Jawaan as the most anticipated movie for the moment. However, any who doesn’t live under a rock knows that this isn’t because of any positive buzz around the film.

The Sudipto Sen’s film, which is readying to release on the big screen on 5th May, has stirred major political controversies. While parties like BJP have stood in support of the film, Congress and several Left parties have called for a ban on the film.

Now there’s an opportunity for all those hyping the alleged conversions of 32,000 women on Kerala to Islamism — to prove their case and make some money. Will they be up to the challenge or is there simply no proof because none exists? #NotOurKeralaStory pic.twitter.com/SrwaMx556H

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 1, 2023

What is the controversy around The Kerela Story?

The film has invited outrage for touting itself as a true story of 32000 women who were brainwashed and forcibly converted to Islam by ISIS.

The film portrays the story of 4 college students who are coerced into being part of terrorist organizations.

The lead role is played by Adah Sharma, who portrays a Hindu Malyali nurse who ends up in the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq among other 32,000 missing women.

Releasing a statement on the controversies and call for a ban, Adah said that [their] film is about thousands of girls who are brainwashed, raped, and impregnated by terrorist organizations. Claiming the film as all ‘facts,’ she said those who think it’s propaganda should watch it once.

Decoding the 32,000 missing women claim

After emphasizing on forced concersion of 32,000 missing women, the makers have now backpedalled and reportedly changed the number to just 3 in the revised YouTube trailer details.

Earlier, many have demanded that the makers provide substantiated proof behind their claim, Director Sudipto Sen had said that he will provide it once the film is released.

In a 2021 interview, Sen claimed that since 2010, around 3000 girls are converting to Islam every year. He added that he has just calculated the number for the next 10 years to 32,000.

However, there is no empirical evidence that can support Sudipto Sen’s claim.