New Delhi: The Kerala Story, which till now was mired in controversy over misrepresentation of facts, related to forced conversion of girls into Islam, has became the bone of contention between veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah & Bhojpuri actor cum BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.
The BJP MP on Friday into Naseeruddin Shah for his criticism of film ‘The Kerala Story’. The movie, despite setting new records at Box Office and becoming 2023’s second biggest hit after SRK’s Pathaan failed to find favour with actor Naseerudddin Shah as he saw the success of film as a ‘dangerous trend’.
Manoj Tiwari, when asked about Naseer’s remarks today, hit back at the actor and claimed that his ‘intention was not right’, though he may be a great actor.
The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen and starring Adah Sharma in the lead roles has set cash registers ringing at the Box Office. The movie, released on May 5, has entered Rs 250 crore club and there are no signs of fatigue yet.
What Naseer said & how Manoj replied
Both Naseeruddin Shah & Manoj Tiwari made the charges & counter-charges during an interview with India Today Group.
Naseer said that many quality movies like Bheed, Afwaah, Faraaz didn’t find audience in theatres but people flocked to watch The Kerala Story.
“It is a dangerous trend, no doubt. We seem to be heading the way of Nazi Germany where, in Hitler’s time, the filmmakers were co-opted by the supreme leader to make films praising him” Shah told the new channel.
He also said that he doesn’t intend to watch The Kerala Story as he has already read much about it and doesn’t find it ‘worth a watch’.
Manoj Tiwari, when asked about Naseer’s views on the movie, said that The Kerala Story is based on facts and the makers have reiterated it again & again.
“If Naseeruddin Shah has a problem with it, he can go to court”, Tiwari replied.
Further lashing out at the veteran actor, Tiwari said, “He is a good actor but Naseeruddin ki niyat achi nahi hai (his intent is not right). I say this with a heavy heart.”
What is controversy about The Kerala Story
The controversy around The Kerala Story is because of claims in movie’s trailer that more than 32,000 girls from Kerala, mostly Hindus were forced to undergo religious conversion and then coerced to join the terror group ISIS.
