Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher vouch for controversial film The Kerala Story

The Kerala Story tells the story of women "forced" to convert to Islam

MUMBAI (Web Desk) - Indian actors Shabana Azmi and Anupam Kher have expressed their support for the newly released film The Kerala Story, which has been criticised for its controversial and anti-Muslim narrative. The actors took to social media to voice their opinions, with Azmi tweeting that those who speak of banning the film are as wrong as those who wanted to ban Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha.

The Kerala Story tells the story of a group of women from the Indian state of Kerala who are "forced" to convert to Islam and join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The film's posters depict the women as happy when dressed in shalwar kameez and traumatised when dressed in abayas.

Azmi's tweet came a day after the Tamil Nadu Multiplex Association announced its decision to stop screening the movie in the state amid protests and low audience turnout. The chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, also criticised the film, saying that it creates communal polarization and spreads hate propaganda against the state.

Anupam Kher, who was part of the controversial Kashmir Files movie that was also dubbed anti-Muslim, said in an interview that he hasn't watched The Kerala Story yet, but he is "happy people are making films which are close to reality". He argued that those who feel it is propaganda are free to make movies dealing with the subject they find perfect and no one is stopping them.

The Kerala High Court also refused to issue a stay order on the release of the film. However, the film's controversial narrative continues to generate debate and spark protests in various parts of the country.