Director Vipul Shah on choosing No Police protection after 'The Kerala Story' release

Two years ago, Vipul Amrutlal Shah's directorial venture, "The Kerala Story," hit the screens, sparking widespread discussions and a significant box office success. The film, based on the controversial "love jihad" conspiracy theory, completed its second year since release, marking a moment to reflect on its impact and the filmmaker's choices surrounding it.

Despite the varied and often intense public reactions that followed the film's release, including protests and political opposition, Vipul Amrutlal Shah made a conscious decision not to seek police protection. This bold choice, as he explained, stemmed from a desire to send a powerful message about freedom of expression within the country.

Sharing his reasoning, Shah stated, "It was a little scary, but one thing we had already decided was that we will not take police protection. This was already our decision… because I felt that if that image gets published that and you are moving in with the police protection, it will have a very wrong messaging that if you are telling the true story while living in India and if you cannot move around freely then it means we consider our country a superpower. So I felt that it would be a very wrong message."

Shah's decision underscored the film's own fearless narrative and its willingness to engage with sensitive socio-political issues. "The Kerala Story" became a catalyst for widespread discussion and introspection, playing a crucial role in initiating conversations around complex topics and contributing significantly to public discourse.

Beyond its socio-political impact, the film also achieved considerable commercial success. It grossed approximately Rs 303.97 crore worldwide, firmly establishing itself as the ninth-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2023. This box office triumph highlighted the audience's engagement with the film's narrative, despite the controversies surrounding it.

Looking ahead, Vipul Amrutlal Shah is now focused on his upcoming directorial project, "Hisaab," a heist thriller featuring Jaideep Ahlawat and Shefali Shah in leading roles. Produced by Sunshine Pictures and Jio Studios, "Hisaab" is anticipated to be released in the latter part of 2025, promising another potentially compelling cinematic offering from the director.