New Delhi: The makers of The Kerala Story 2 found themselves at the center of a heated media exchange during a press conference in Delhi, after journalists questioned why no Malayali women were present at the event, despite the film’s Kerala-centric title.
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh were in the capital to promote the sequel. However, what began as a promotional interaction soon escalated into a confrontational debate over the film’s narrative and intent.
What Triggered the Controversy?
At the press conference, the filmmakers introduced around 30 women whom they claimed had allegedly experienced forced religious conversions.
According to the makers, the women were from states including:
- West Bengal
- Bihar
- Rajasthan (Bhilwara, Udaipur, Gangapur)
- Jammu
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal, Indore)
- Jharkhand
- Delhi-NCR (Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Meerut)
Journalists, however, pointed out that none of the women presented were from Kerala, prompting sharp questioning.
“Why No Malayali Victims?”
Responding to the criticism, Vipul Amrutlal Shah stated:
“We brought those who suffered from Kerala during Kerala Story 1. The video is still available on YouTube. Had we brought them again, you would have said we brought the same people. You cannot argue both sides.”
Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh emphasized that the sequel aims to expand the scope of the narrative beyond Kerala.
“No, it’s the same story. This is a pan-India story,” he said.
Is the Film Targeting Kerala?
Another major point of contention was the title. Reporters questioned why the film continues to reference Kerala if the issue is nationwide.
The director responded:
“It is related to Kerala as well. From Kerala, how it spread all over India. Earlier people said this was only Kerala’s story. Now we want to show that this happens across the country.”
During the exchange, a journalist remarked that Kerala ranks high in literacy and accused the filmmakers of damaging the state’s image.
Vipul Shah replied:
“On the floor of the Assembly, the then Chief Minister had put a report. If you are going to be blind towards the problem in your state — which is a wonderful state — you are destroying the state. Not us. You don’t want to accept there’s a problem.”
Response to Critics
The film has drawn criticism from public figures including Prakash Raj and Anurag Kashyap.
However, the filmmakers chose not to directly engage with their comments during the press conference. Instead, Vipul Shah questioned whether critics had shown empathy toward the women presented as alleged victims.
Political Angle?
The makers denied that the film is politically motivated or linked to Kerala’s electoral context. They maintained that their intention is to highlight what they describe as a broader national issue.
Despite this clarification, the viral video of the press conference has intensified debate on social media, with supporters and critics sharply divided over the film’s portrayal and messaging.
Release Date
The Kerala Story 2 is scheduled for theatrical release on February 27.
Conclusion
The press conference has amplified the controversy surrounding the sequel even before its release. While the makers insist that the film addresses a nationwide concern rather than targeting a specific state, questions over representation and narrative framing continue to dominate public discourse.
With the film set to hit cinemas soon, the debate is likely to remain in focus in the days ahead.
