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Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has ignited controversy with his unfiltered criticism of the upcoming film “The Kerala Story 2,” describing it as “propaganda” designed to “divide people” during his recent appearance at the Filmfare Awards South in Kochi.
The acclaimed director did not hold back when questioned by reporters about the film, which is set for release on February 27. “The Kerala Story is a s* movie. It is bull** propaganda. Total bull****,” Kashyap declared emphatically. He took particular issue with a controversial scene from the trailer showing a protagonist being forcefully fed beef.
“Aisa kaun beef khilata hai? Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai. Bakwaas picture. It is called crap,” he said, questioning the authenticity of such portrayals in the film.
Kashyap went further by attacking the filmmakers’ motives, suggesting profit and political favor were driving forces behind the project. “They just want to make money and please everybody; divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money,” he stated.
His comments have added significant fuel to an already heated debate surrounding the film, which has been criticized by various groups for its depiction of Kerala and its alleged narrative choices.
The controversy has transcended entertainment circles, drawing reactions from political leaders as well. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has publicly condemned the film, defending his state’s reputation.
“We must collectively reject attempts to portray Kerala, a land of religious harmony that stands at the forefront of sustainable development and is a model in maintaining law and order, as a center of terrorism,” Vijayan stated. He called on citizens to “reject false propaganda” and uphold “values of secularism and brotherhood.”
Despite the growing backlash, “The Kerala Story 2” has received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), clearing its path to theatrical release. The film is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who previously found both commercial success and controversy with the first installment.
The original “The Kerala Story,” released in 2023, became one of the year’s highest-grossing Hindi films despite—or perhaps because of—its controversial premise. The film claimed to tell the stories of Hindu women from Kerala who were allegedly converted to Islam and recruited into ISIS, though critics argued it exaggerated numbers and distorted facts to push a particular narrative.
The sequel appears poised to continue exploring similar themes, based on the trailer content that has sparked these recent reactions. Industry analysts note that controversial subject matter has increasingly become a formula for box office success in certain segments of Indian cinema, with polarizing content generating free publicity through debates across social and traditional media.
Film critics have observed a growing trend of politically charged cinema in India, with movies often becoming flashpoints in larger cultural and ideological battles. The intense reactions to “The Kerala Story 2” even before its release highlight the increasingly blurred lines between entertainment, politics, and social discourse in contemporary Indian society.
As the release date approaches, theater owners in several states are reportedly preparing for potential protests, while social media continues to be divided between those defending the film as an exercise in free expression and those condemning it as harmful propaganda.
The film’s box office performance will be closely monitored, not just as a measure of commercial success, but as an indicator of audience reception to contentious cinematic narratives in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
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10 Comments
Interesting that Kashyap is so openly critical of ‘The Kerala Story 2’. Calls it propaganda and questions the authenticity of the beef scene. Seems he believes the film is more about dividing people than telling an honest story.
I can understand his concerns about the film potentially being used for political purposes. Objectivity and nuance are important when handling sensitive topics like this.
Kashyap makes some strong accusations against the filmmakers, calling them ‘greedy’ and only interested in ‘making money and pleasing everybody’. That’s a pretty damning critique from a respected director.
I’m curious to see how the filmmakers respond to Kashyap’s comments. It will be interesting to hear their perspective on the motivations behind the film.
Kashyap’s comments highlight the ongoing debate around the portrayal of sensitive issues in Indian cinema. His accusations of propaganda and divisiveness raise important questions about the motivations behind the film.
It will be worth following how this controversy evolves and whether the filmmakers address Kashyap’s concerns. Balanced and nuanced storytelling is crucial when handling topics that can be politically charged.
It’s interesting to see a prominent filmmaker like Kashyap be so outspoken in his criticism of ‘The Kerala Story 2’. His comments suggest he sees the film as more of a political tool than a genuine cinematic work.
Kashyap’s description of ‘The Kerala Story 2’ as ‘bull**’ propaganda is pretty scathing. He clearly believes the film is more about dividing people than presenting a balanced, factual narrative.
I wonder if the film’s depiction of sensitive issues like religious conversion will be as one-sided and inflammatory as Kashyap suggests. Nuance and objectivity are important when handling such topics.
The beef scene in the trailer does seem quite controversial and questionable in its authenticity. Kashyap’s point about ‘who would forcefully feed someone beef?’ is a valid one. It raises concerns about potential sensationalism.