Controversial Film ‘The Kerala Story’ Fails to Find OTT Buyers Amidst Jealousy Claims and Content Concerns
'The Kerala Story,' a film that stirred widespread debate and attracted both praise and criticism upon its release, is reportedly struggling to secure a deal with any major OTT platform.
Maheswara Rao Nadella | Published On: Jun, 27, 2023 | 04:37 PM
‘The Kerala Story,’ a film that stirred widespread debate and attracted both praise and criticism upon its release, is reportedly struggling to secure a deal with any major OTT platform. Director Sudipto Sen has expressed his disappointment, claiming that despite the film’s significant success at the box office, it has failed to garner interest from OTT players. Sen further suggests that a certain section of the film industry, driven by jealousy, is intentionally boycotting the film. However, another perspective emerges, indicating that the film’s controversial content and accusations of factual inaccuracy are deterring OTT platforms from associating with it.
Sen shared his concerns during an interview with Bollywood Hungama, revealing that despite their box office triumph, they have not received any worthwhile offers from OTT platforms. He believes that the film’s success has incited jealousy within certain circles of the industry, leading to its exclusion from the OTT space. “Our box office success has irked many sections of the film industry. We have a feeling that a section of the entertainment industry has united to punish us for our success,” Sen stated.
While Sen attributes the film’s lack of OTT interest to industry rivalry, there are alternative viewpoints to consider. The content of ‘The Kerala Story’ itself may be the primary reason behind OTT platforms hesitating to acquire it. The film has faced controversy due to alleged factual inaccuracies and exaggerated claims. Some members of the audience argued that it perpetuates Islamophobia and divisive politics, making it an unappealing choice for OTT platforms seeking thought-provoking and non-propagandistic content.
An insider quoted in the same report shed light on the potential reasons behind OTT platforms shying away from ‘The Kerala Story.’ They explained that OTT channels are focusing on distributing content that is intelligent, thought-provoking, and entertaining, rather than being labelled as propaganda. The insider stated, “You must understand that ‘The Kerala Story’ comes across as a propaganda film, while OTT channels have been focusing on more intelligent, thought-provoking, and entertaining subjects. In such a case, a film like ‘The Kerala Story’ does not fit into the genres.”
‘The Kerala Story,’ featuring Adah Sharma in the lead role, continues to be screened in select theatres across the country. The film has amassed over Rs 300 crore at the Indian box office. It revolves around the claim that young Indian women are brainwashed, converted to Islam, and sent to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Upon its release, the film faced a ban in West Bengal, prompting the filmmakers to challenge the ban in court. Additionally, several theatres in Tamil Nadu declined to screen the film.
The debate surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ not finding a place on any OTT platform raises questions about the motivations behind this decision. Whether it is rooted in industry rivalry or concerns about the film’s content remains a matter of subjective interpretation and differing viewpoints.
