The Kerala Story 2 Press Event Turns Heated Over Portrayal of Kerala

A press conference in New Delhi promoting the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2 turned tense after journalists questioned the filmmakers about the film’s portrayal of Kerala and the absence of Malayali victims at the event. The sequel is scheduled for release on February 27 and has already sparked public debate ahead of its premiere.

Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh attended the press interaction, where they introduced around 30 women whom they said had allegedly experienced forced religious conversions. The filmmakers stated that their intention was to highlight the issue addressed in the film.

However, journalists pressed the team on why none of the women present were from Kerala, despite the film’s title and central narrative. Reporters questioned whether the absence of Malayali participants weakened the credibility of the film’s claims.

In response, the filmmakers said the women invited to the event came from various regions across India, including West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. They maintained that individuals from Kerala had been featured earlier in connection with the first film and related awareness efforts.

When further questioned, the team emphasised that the sequel presents what they described as a broader national issue rather than a story limited to one state.

Debate Over Title and Narrative Scope

The film’s title became another point of discussion during the press event. Journalists asked why the film retains the name “Kerala” if the issue depicted extends beyond the state.

The director explained that the narrative originated from incidents linked to Kerala but aims to show how similar concerns may affect other regions. According to the filmmakers, the sequel expands the scope to present the issue as a nationwide phenomenon.

The interaction grew more heated when a reporter argued that Kerala is known for high literacy and social development indicators and accused the filmmakers of damaging the state’s reputation. The producer responded by asserting that acknowledging problems does not undermine a state’s strengths and said the film intends to bring attention to issues rather than target any region.

The filmmakers also reiterated that the project is not politically motivated and denied any connection to electoral developments. They emphasised that the film aims to raise awareness and spark discussion.

Continuing Controversy

The Kerala Story franchise has previously generated strong reactions from political leaders, filmmakers, and civil society groups. The sequel appears to be continuing that debate, with critics and supporters expressing differing views on its narrative and intent.

Despite the tense exchanges, the filmmakers maintained that their objective is to highlight what they consider a wider social issue. With its release approaching, the film is likely to remain at the centre of public discussion.