As The Kerala Story completes two years since its release, actress Adah Sharma has taken a heartfelt pause to reflect on the film’s emotional and cultural impact. Marking the second anniversary on May 5, 2025, the actress spoke about how deeply the film resonated with audiences and continues to do so long after it first hit theaters.
Sharing her sentiments, Adah expressed how the film’s narrative touched countless lives. “The audience and the box office are impartial to genetics, blood group, surname, and your bank balance. I am very grateful to the audience,” she said in a conversation with IANS. “I meet so many people whom the film has deeply impacted. I’m happy to be an inspiration for young girls and women all over our country.”
The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, was released in cinemas on May 5, 2023. The film follows the journey of a group of women from Kerala who are allegedly forced to convert to Islam and recruited by the Islamic State. Based on controversial interpretations of real-life incidents, the movie stirred massive debate upon release, centering around the “love jihad” narrative. It went on to become the ninth-highest-grossing Hindi film of that year.
On the film’s anniversary, Adah took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes glimpses from the shoot. Displaying the scars and bruises required for her character, she emphasized the physical and emotional toll of portraying such a demanding role. In a caption, she humorously but thoughtfully wrote, “The human brain is made up of 75% water. Dehydration aapke focus, memory and mental clarity ko affect karti hai.”
She continued, “#TheKeralaStory ke liye ek acha post karna hai. But itne saare photos aur videos hai, I don’t know kya post karu. Itne saare emotions. Thank you aap sab ko and congrats—5th May ko you created history … ok paani peekey post karti hu … aap bhi stay hydrated, stay safe.”
Despite the polarizing reactions, the film struck a deep chord with many, sparking conversations across the country. On this occasion, Adah’s reflections not only honor the film’s legacy but also recognize the audience’s role in making it a cultural phenomenon. With her words, she underscored the power of storytelling to inspire, provoke, and resonate—long after the credits roll.
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