Latest news with #AdahSharma
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
FTII students body call National Award for 'The Kerala Story' dangerous & disappointing, director breaks silence: 'When a film becomes so big...'
The 2023 film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State read more A students' outfit at the Film and Television Institute of India has strongly condemned the decision to confer a national award to 'The Kerala Story', citing that the government-backed recognition for the film is 'not simply disappointing, but dangerous'. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen won the Best Director award for 'The Kerala Story', which also received the award for Best Cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards. The 2023 film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Students' Association of the FTII, in a statement on August 2, said 'The Kerala Story' was not a film, but a weapon. 'The state has once again made its position clear: it will reward propaganda disguised as cinema if it aligns with its majoritarian, hate-filled agenda. 'The Kerala Story' is not a film; it is a weapon. A falsified narrative aimed at vilifying the Muslim community and demonising an entire state that has historically stood for communal harmony, education, and resistance,' it said. Cinema is not neutral, it is a powerful instrument of influence, it said, adding that the decision to award the film is 'simply not disappointing, but dangerous'. 'When a government-endorsed body elevates a film that spreads misinformation and paranoia against minorities, it is not merely 'recognising art', it is legitimising violence. It is scripting future lynchings, social exclusion, and political othering,' the statement read. The students' outfit further condemned the fact that cinema is being reduced to a tool of state-sponsored communalism. 'We refuse to accept that Islamophobia is now award-worthy. And we refuse to be silent as the industry we hope to enter is being reshaped to reward lies, bigotry, and fascist ideology. The state must understand: giving awards to propaganda does not make it true. And we, as students and citizens, will not stop calling it what it is-incitement. Violence,' it added. Director Sudipto Sen breaks silence It was a surprise. I expected technical awards. I wanted the work of my technicians to be recognised. When a film becomes so big that even two years after its release, it is being talked about, then it is definitely technically good. That was why I had reason to expect my technicians would get the award. My DOP did, but I would have been happy if my writer, my makeup artist, and my actress Adah Sharma had also won. But that did not happen, and I was a little sad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But at the end of the day, hailing from a modest background and after struggling for 20-25 years, getting the country's top award for film direction is a great honour. It was overwhelming. With added inputs from agencies
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Sudipto Sen recalled the pain that inspired 'The Kerala Story'; Survivors lived without food And power
In May 2023, The Kerala Story team—director Sudipto Sen , producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah , and lead actor Adah Sharma—held a press conference that offered a rare, moving insight into what inspired the making of the film. Three survivors of religious conversion, whose stories partly shaped the film's narrative, were also present at the event. Sudipto Sen spoke with quiet intensity as he revisited the first time he met them, years ago. 'The house was some kilometres away from Ernakulam,' he began. 'There was no electricity—disconnected. They survived without food and light for days. When they went to the market to buy vegetables, people would snatch their bags.' The imagery was stark. 'I remember, there was just a faint light coming from the gap between the doors. That moment stayed with me.' A chilling reality that birthed a bold story Sen met the survivors back in 2015–16, and the experience left a lasting mark. He saw firsthand how their lives had been ravaged by exploitation and fear, and how even the basic dignity of existence had been stripped away. 'You can understand how people misused their openness and left them in such a condition,' he said. Those interviews planted the seed for The Kerala Story—a film he believed needed to be told, no matter how difficult. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your donations can help this little boy see again clearly Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The film, which released on May 5, 2023, was both lauded and criticised for its bold take on the theme of radicalisation and religious conversion by terror outfits. Yet for Sen, it was never just a political narrative—it was a human one. A story of three women and one haunting truth The Kerala Story follows the traumatic journey of three women: one who was gang-raped after resisting conversion, one who ended her life after blackmail, and one, played by Adah Sharma , who was trafficked to Syria and made a sex slave. Meanwhile, there are several criticisms aimed at the film for the fact that the movie spread several inaccurate facts and was purposefully aimed at tarnishing the image of Kerala - The God's Own Country. The movie was also trolled for it's misrepresentation of a Malayali women and her lifestyle, where the director was said to be lacking a basic knowledge about the same. Kerala CM Slams Jury: National Awards for The Kerala Story Are 'Insult to Kerala'
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Adah Sharma called 'The Kerala Story' ‘Magical'; actress felt ‘Blessed' to be part of a pathbreaking film
'The Kerala Story' which courted controversy upon its 2023 release for its take on radicalisation and alleged religious conversion, recently bagged two major honours at the 71st National Film Awards – Best Director and Best Cinematography. The recognition made the moment perfect to revisit Adah's words on how rare it was for a female-led story to strike such a chord with audiences and the box office alike. The Kerala Story's success made her feel 'really lovely and blessed' In a throwback to one of her earlier interview with Firstpost, actress Adah Sharma reflected on the massive and unexpected success of The Kerala Story. 'My life has always been lovely. I live in a nice place with lovely people,' she said with a smile, adding that she hoped to continue growing as a person. 'This was magical since it had never happened with anyone before – a female-centric film doing so well. I feel really lovely and blessed,' Adah shared. 'it's easier to speak the truth' Adah credited her parents for her grounded nature, saying they had always taught her to be honest. 'There's no other way. It's very difficult. But at the same time, it's easier – it's easier to speak the truth and be yourself. That's the easiest way.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Her words reflected not just humility, but a quiet strength in the face of fame, attention, and the heated debates surrounding the film. 'We sometimes take ourselves way too seriously' Known for her quirky and self-deprecating tweets, Adah also touched upon her sense of humour. 'We sometimes take ourselves way too seriously – as if the whole world revolves around us,' she said. 'My work is life and death to me, but I don't take myself seriously.' On the other hand, Adah Sharma will be next seen in 'Tibba' which is directed by Gaurav Khati . Watch: Adah Sharma feeds sugarcanes to an elephant
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘The Kerala Story' National Award win: Director feels Adah Sharma deserved best actress, calls industry validation unimportant
'The Kerala Story' won two National Awards recently, but director feels the film deserved even more. He especially feels sad that lead actress didn't get the Best Actress award. In an interview, he shared his thoughts on the film's journey, his struggles, and how the audience's love matters more to him than industry recognition. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The film won two major awards, but Sudipto feels disappointed The film won two major awards as Best Director and Best Cinematography, but Sudipto feels disappointed that actress Adah Sharma and other key team members weren't honoured. Sudipto shared his point of view In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Sudipto shared that while winning Best Director was a pleasant surprise, he was really hoping for technical categories like writing and makeup to be acknowledged too. "It was a surprise. I expected technical awards. I wanted the work of my technicians to be recognised. When a film becomes so big that even two years after its release, it is being talked about, then it is definitely technically good. That was why I had reason to expect my technicians would get the award. My DOP did, but I would have been happy if my writer, my makeup artist, and my actress Adah Sharma had also won. But that did not happen, and I was a little sad." he said. Despite this, he's grateful for the appreciation the film has received. Coming from a humble background and working hard for over two decades, he feels proud to have finally earned such a prestigious recognition. Sudipto also spoke about not feeling accepted by mainstream Bollywood. Living in Mumbai for 25 years, he still feels like an outsider. "I have been living in Mumbai for almost 25 years, but I never felt at home with Bollywood. I don't belong to the genre of cinema that the Mumbai film industry makes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now I remain an outsider here. People hardly know me here. Their validation was never a big aspect in my cinematic journey. My audience's validation was important," he explained. About the film 'The Story' follows the story of young women from Kerala who are influenced and recruited by ISIS. The film claimed to be based on true events, which sparked protests and legal issues in Kerala, including a ban. Even so, it was a hit with viewers and earned over ₹300 crore at the box office. Sudipto says the film's success and lasting impact show that it can't just be dismissed as 'propaganda.'
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adah Sharma on 'The Kerala Story' winning two National Awards: "We have the blessings of the victims..."
The winners of the 71st National Film Awards were announced on Friday, and 'The Kerala Story' took home two major awards—Best Director for Sudipto Sen and Best Cinematography for Prasantanu Mohapatra. Following the victory, the film's lead actress Adah Sharma shared her excitement and said she feels 'blessed' by the recognition. Adah Sharma's words of appreciation "Sudipto sir, Vipul sir, and Prasanthanu sir didn't think of awards or applause while making the film. It was just to tell the stories of those who didn't have a voice. The audience then became our voice and turned this film into the highest-grossing female film of all time," said Adah while speaking to NDTV. "We have the blessings of the victims, their families, and the audience, and now two national awards. I feel blessed. Scenes from the movie impacted people so much that even now, when I meet people at events, airports, they have tears in their eyes when discussing the scenes. As an actor, I got to be part of this historic film and play the role of a lifetime," she continued. Controversial yet Successful Released in 2023, 'The Kerala Story' sparked nationwide debate due to its sensitive subject matter. The film explored the alleged ISIS recruitment of women in India, leading to widespread political discussions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Despite facing heavy criticism, it struck a chord with audiences and went on to become a box office success. Reflects on Misinterpretations According to Sudipto Sen shared that 'The Kerala Story' was often misinterpreted because of the political climate, particularly due to the sensitive use of the word "Muslim." He revealed that the film had been in development since 2012, with extensive research led by his Kerala-based collaborator Ambika JK, who joined the project in 2010. Adah Sharma shares a video of a fan showing her picture engraved on a leaflet
