Kerala Story has been embroiled in controversies even before its release. The film is already facing criticism from several sections, with the Chief Minister of Kerala calling it a propaganda film
I see it as a film on Indian girls who have gone missing. And as far as I know nobody is denying that they went missing. Time magazine has also covered it as an international topic of women’s recruitment. Isis from all over the world.
This is an international issue. This is not happening only in India. Whatever we call it, we all agree that it is happening and that is why the film is garnering more and more support day by day.
How did you prepare for the film? what brief did the director give you
Since I am a woman, I have the sensitivity to feel the pain of another woman. I did this channel after reading accounts of years of research by Sudipto sir and his team. He met the victims. Our film is not against any religion, it is against terrorism. It is not religion versus religion, it is much bigger than that. It is terrorism vs humanity.
Do you play the role of a Hindu girl who converts
The reason for her conversion is to serve ISIS i.e. to become a sex slave or a suicide bomber and/or to have a child, which if male can also become a terrorist. And if the child is a female there are many options her body can serve a purpose which is shown in the film.
It has been alleged that the film is about love jihad. What is your comment on that?
Our film is about life and death.
Have you met any of the girls whose lives inspired the film? What was his reaction when you told him about the film?
yes i did They knew I was doing the film before I knew I was doing it. Our director told them. They were overjoyed that finally someone was telling their story, which others had dismissed as denying its existence. This is because it is very inconvenient for them to address.
The voices demanding a ban on your film are increasing day by day. What do you want?
The viewers now re-check the facts and since everything is available in the public domain, there are accounts of missing girls, parents of girls who were drugged, brainwashed and raped. Apparently the voices in support of the film are louder than the voices against it, which again is available for all to see. We live in a country where we have freedom of thought and speech, unlike the place where my character was cast in the film.
What do you have to say about the political response to The Kerala Story?
After watching the trailer of 2 minutes, many senior people sitting in high posts have commented on The Kerala Story. My parents have always told me to respect my elders, so with due respect to all of them, I hope they can spare 2 hours from their busy schedule to watch the movie. I am sure they will see that we have not shown the state of Kerala in any derogatory light.