~ Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story is inspired by true events and stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani in the lead roles ~
Global, 7th February 2024: ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, announced today the world digital premiere of the much awaited, The Kerala Story on 16th February. After bringing forth movies like The Kashmir Files, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, and The Tashkent Files, ZEE5 Global is set to release another hard-hitting, true story which will be an eye-opening sensation. Inspired by real events, The Kerala Story delves into the sensitive and complex issue of the alleged radicalization and conversion of young Hindu women to another religion in Kerala, forcing them into joining terrorist groups.
The Kerala Story created quite a buzz during its theatrical release with its worldwide box office collection surpassing USD 36 million and with favourable support from many across India. The film’s blockbuster performance at the box office created sky-high anticipation for the film’s streaming release and now with ZEE5 Global taking up the world digital rights, The Kerala Story is set to stream on the streaming platform on 16th February 2024 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages.
The film follows the story of three girls: Shalini (Adah Sharma), Nimah (Yogita Bihani), and Geetanjali (Siddhi Idnani), who are manipulated by their roommate, Asifa (Sonia Balani), into converting to another religion. The movie is divided into two parts: the first half portrays how the girls were manipulated into converting to another religion, while the second half shows Shalini’s journey as Fatima Ba – a converted member of a terrorist group and her imprisonment in Afghanistan. It also shows how men were brainwashed too to woo Hindu and Christian women of Kerala in the name of love, convert them and convince them to join war zones. The shocking incidents occurred between 2018-19, when a rising number of Kerala youths had come under the influence of a terrorist group.
Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer at ZEE5 Global said, “Resonant stories that capture South Asia’s culture and people have helped ZEE5 Global garner immense viewership worldwide while breaking language and cultural barriers. We are now proud to bring to our viewers an all-new story of grit and resilience with The Kerala Story. Widely acclaimed for its compelling plot, powerful narrative and emotionally stirring performances, the film promises viewers a riveting watch that is both gripping and thought-provoking”.
Vipul Amrutlal Shah, Producer of The Kerala Story said, “After the tremendous success at the box office, we have been receiving thousands of mails asking when will The Kerala Story come on OTT. So, the wait is finally over and here it is. The Kerela Story is going to premiere on ZEE5 Global and it’s going to be an amazing experience to sit in your house, watch the film and there are so many moments where you want to rewind and rewatch or watch the film again and again. And now you have got all the options to enjoy this film as many times as you want with your entire family. This is a very important film for the entire family to see together. So I hope that every family watches it together and learns from what we are trying to show in the film”.
Sudipto Sen, Director of The Kerala Story said, “Tackling such a sensitive topic and translating it into a film is no small feat; it’s a challenge we willingly embraced. However, every filmmaker wants an assurance about his work and The Kerala Story’s box office performance was my assurance and gratification to continue to have faith in myself. But for those who haven’t watched the film yet, I urge them to watch The Kerala Story on ZEE5 Global for a transformational experience. Many are living in the dark about the reality of the situation and for those, this film will lift that darkness and show them the naked truth as the stories in the film are real. The faces in the film are real. The fates and consequences of the characters in the film are real. THE KERALA STORY is a unique cinematic experience for the viewers of the film. And that is what made this film an “unprecedented blockbuster” as per BO pandits”.
Lead Actor, Adah Sharma said, “The courageous makers of The Kerala Story, Vipul Shah and Sudipto Sen deserve to be applauded for having put in immense hard work to bring this film to life. After the stupendous success at the box office, creating history worldwide making it the highest-grossing female lead film of all time, we are now looking forward to the film’s release on ZEE5 Global. The film’s collaboration with this global platform will allow us to extend the reach of the film to a much wider audience. The audience who didn’t get a chance to watch the film in the theatre and many who watched it and want to re watch it are waiting with bated breath. I’m thrilled I have an answer to all those who have been asking ‘Kerala story OTT pe kab aaegi?’.”
Mark your calendars to stream this thought-provoking intense drama, streaming from 16th February exclusively on ZEE5 Global
