Movie Reviews
The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond Review: Ulka Gupta & Aditi Bhatia Shine Amidst Flawed Execution
Movie : The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond
Star Cast: Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, Aishwarya Ojha
Director: Kamakhya Narayan Singh
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 131 Minutes
Movie Review Rating: 2.5
The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond dives deep into the harsh realities of forced conversions and extremist ideologies, focusing on jihadi Muslim clans and their impact on three young girls. While the film tackles important issues like Ghazwa-e-Hind and radical Islamist influence, its execution falters compared to its predecessor and other similar films like The Kashmir Files.
The story’s foundation is based on real events, but the screenplay struggles with logic and credibility. For instance, two of the girls have access to mobile phones but never use them to seek help—a glaring plot hole that weakens the narrative. The film also tries to merge multiple real-life stories into just three characters, which muddles the storyline and distances viewers from the core message about forced conversions happening nationwide.
Despite the film’s title, much of the story unfolds in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, making the connection to Kerala unclear. The narrative attempts to balance its portrayal by acknowledging patriotic Muslims, but generalizations may alienate some viewers.On the positive side, the film highlights internal Hindu challenges like disunity and lack of religious awareness, alongside the growing reach of radicalism even beyond India.
The depiction of torture and abuse inflicted by the girls’ captors is chilling and effectively handled, though the film misses the chance to explore the complexity of radical elements across all religions.The climax, marked by police action, feels more vindictive than just, and the use of a devotional song detracts rather than enhances the scene. However, the emotional portrayal of the parents after the climax is heartfelt and well-executed.
Performance-wise, debutantes Ulka Gupta, Aishwarya Ojha, and Aditi Bhatia deliver nuanced portrayals. Supporting actors, including Abhishek Shankar, Lakshmi, Sumit Gahlawat, and Bhakti Vasani, also impress.Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh’s intention to highlight social issues is commendable, but the film’s logical flaws and perceived bias risk labeling it as propaganda. The loud background score and forgettable songs further detract from the experience.
The Kerala Story 2 sheds light on critical issues but could have benefited from a more balanced, coherent approach to truly resonate with a wider audience.
Follow us on Google News
