Propaganda masquerading as art

PUBLISHED
Could 21, 2023

KARACHI:

The potential of a movie to reshape societal norms and alter views is commonly neglected whereas analysis reveals that motion pictures have the power to reinforce our emotional intelligence and foster stronger social connections. Psychologists have delved into the correlation between fictional dramas and our emotional states, shedding mild on this intriguing connection. Along with stimulating feelings, movies have the ability to immerse audiences in a various vary of emotions, exposing them to a contemporary outlook on life. Movies not solely function a useful platform for filmmakers, producers, and communicators to boost consciousness on essential points or causes, additionally they ignite profound thought and course of transformations by fascinating the hearts and minds of audiences.

Then there are additionally movies that exploit the susceptibility of viewers, shamelessly parade misinformation, unfold negativity, and promote a discourse of hate. Regrettably, The Kerala Story (TKS) finds itself ensnared inside this lamentable class because it unapologetically traverses a treacherous path, weaving a fabricated tapestry of malice that inevitably ignites controversy about Muslims and Islam.

Upset and disgruntled, one acknowledges the deliberate try by TKS to needlessly painting Islam in a sinister mild, devoid of any semblance of authenticity in at present’s Islamophobic world. In its quest for sensationalism, the movie intensively magnifies the unfavorable features of this venerable faith [as all religions are respectable], producing discord and division amongst its viewers. Movies of this nature that fixate on hate speech and unilaterally current the darker sides of any tradition, faith, or nation, can hardly be deemed as having any creative benefit, as a result of they function nothing greater than automobiles for insidious propaganda.

In its essence, TKS is a cautionary story, and a stark reminder of the risks that lurk when creative integrity is sacrificed on the altar of propaganda. The depths to which TKS stoops is really disheartening. As an alternative of using a nuanced and insightful strategy to storytelling, the movie depends on crude caricatures and blatant misrepresentations. It shamelessly panders to base instincts, preying on the fears and biases of its viewers.

Controversy sells, so will TKS

Controversy is a strong device on this planet of cinema, because it tends to generate appreciable consideration and entice audiences. It’s an plain actuality that motion pictures related to controversy and those who evoke unfavorable sentiments do nicely on the field workplace reminiscent of Mission Majnu, The Kashmir Recordsdata, The Tashkent Recordsdata, to call a couple of. On this context, TKS was extremely anticipated and poised to make a big affect commercially.

One facet that has stirred dialogue surrounding TKS is the portrayal of Muslim characters all through the movie as it’s largely inaccurate and skewed. They’re painted in an unfairly unfavorable mild, depicted with a predominantly dismal and harsh manner, and utterly missing the attributes of compassion, softness, and positivity. For people who harbour robust biases or animosity in the direction of a selected faith, TKS might doubtlessly function a catalyst to fireside their unfavorable sentiments.

The skewed, stewed story

The movie delves right into a ‘too unhealthy to be true’ narrative round a bunch of ladies hailing from Kerala who discover themselves embroiled within the tumultuous world of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Drawing inspiration from the controversial Love Jihad idea, the movie takes a moderately problematic stance, erroneously asserting the conversion of quite a few Kerala girls into Islam and their subsequent recruitment into ISIS. It revolves round Shalini Unnikrishnan (Adah Sharma)’s compelling and nightmarish odyssey, however she is predictably pushed by her aspirations of turning into a nurse, solely to be kidnapped from her own residence and coerced into the clutches of extremist organisations. When you perceive the premise, the story has no thriller left, as a result of you already know what’s coming subsequent.

The movie proceeds to unravel an intricate net of deceit and manipulation that ensnares the protagonist, as she falls prey to an insidious love affair. Trapped in a misleading relationship, Shalini tragically finds herself compelled to transform to Islam and finally faces the grim actuality of a number of cases of marital rape. Properly, what else might occur! Apparently that was not sufficient, and the depths of her ordeal attain their apex when she turns into a sufferer of a harrowing gang rape, unsurprisingly orchestrated by the Mujahideens within the distant outskirts of Afghanistan.

Whereas these distressing occasions kind the crux of the narrative, TKS comes throughout as a disconcerting cocktail of hatred and prejudice. It explores themes that faucet into divisive ideologies, additional exacerbating the already controversial premise of the movie.

The provocative portrayal of a girl’s harrowing journey, marred by manipulation, violence, and the grim underbelly of extremist ideologies is being lapped up by Indian audiences because it presents sensational parts reminiscent of ISIS intercourse slaves of savage non secular fanatics. The movie indulges in exaggerating and even altering details within the tales of those actual life individuals for dramatic worth, in a bid to polarise viewers additional and have to be approached with a important eye, sanity and a conscience that recognises the potential the movie gives for the perpetuation of dangerous stereotypes, and fact-free conspiracy theories.

Earlier than its launch, the movie promos claimed that the movie was about 32,000 girls from Kerala who had been misled into becoming a member of ISIS. When the quantity was fact-checked, the workforce backtracked and made it 3. The movie opened although, not solely with the imaginary determine of 32,000, however goes on so as to add that the precise, unofficial determine 50,000!

Sure we all know there’s non secular indoctrination and radicalisation, however the movie ignores the complexity in these tales, and the massive variations between communities. In actuality, the Salafi motion in Kerala has opposition from throughout the Muslim neighborhood however the author appears unaware.

Propaganda down your throat

In TKS, Muslims are depicted in a brutal and heartless method that leaves no room for nuance or complexity. The writers have meticulously crafted characters who’re meant to current Muslims as nothing in need of evil, portraying them as deceitful and monstrous beings. The on-screen execution of those characters has a deliberate and premeditated really feel, designed solely to perpetuate a unfavorable and twisted picture of Muslims.

It resorts to an extreme show of blood and gore conveniently attributed to Muslim characters. Such exaggerated depictions spotlight a deliberate try to stoop to model new and modern lows with a view to vilify Muslims. The portrayal of Shalini as a brainwashed jihadi, and her supposedly-not-being brainwashed reaches a stage of absurdity that may solely be described as comical, an attribute, not seen by the movie makers.

The scenes that depict the prohibition of ladies proudly owning cellphones, in response to Shariah Legislation, additional reinforcing unfavorable stereotypes. Shalini’s expertise of marital rape by the hands of a practising Muslim character provides to the narrative’s sensationalism. It turns into more and more difficult to droop disbelief when confronted with incredulous dialogues reminiscent of “Consuming with out prayer is a sin” or “Failure to thank Allah after a meal will condemn us to hellfire.”

The general narrative of TKS is just too contrived and particular agenda-driven to be entertaining, enjoyable or unridiculous. Weak minds can simply succumb to the affect of the Muslim woman, Asifa, with none semblance of resistance or impartial thought. The movie’s relentless and forceful strategy to its narrative additional substantiates its underlying propagandistic intent.

Shallow characters with knee-deep analysis

Your complete solid of characters is devoid of any semblance of humanity, firmly entrenched within the realm of extremism. Rameez, Abdullah, Asifa, and different Muslim characters are constantly portrayed with a singular dimension ― conniving and manipulative. Nevertheless, let’s delve into the core of this movie with a extra severe lens, because it primarily revolves round human trafficking and the disturbing narrative of how a bunch of younger males ensnare Hindu and Muslim women by way of false love, resulting in pregnancies, solely to later abscond with them to Afghanistan below the guise of jihad.

The characters communicate of nothing however faith day and evening. The author is so determined to drill the movie’s agenda in our heads that each second of the screenplay is punctuated with phrases reminiscent of Hindu, Islam, Allah, your God, my God.

At first look, the premise of TKS might elicit anger, but upon nearer examination, one can’t assist however chuckle on the absurdities and the lackluster justifications introduced by characters who battle even to pronounce fundamental phrases accurately, not to mention ship performances with conviction.

Whereas the movie makes an attempt to deal with weighty material, it falls brief in its execution, leaving the viewers questioning the believability and credibility of the narrative. The character growth lacks depth, failing to evoke any empathy or real reference to the viewers. This oversight detracts from the general affect the movie goals to attain.

It might have been a thought-provoking exploration of a pertinent challenge, shedding mild on the darkish challenge of human trafficking however the movie’s amateurish strategy and one-dimensional characteristion undermines its potential affect, rendering it as an unconvincing portrayal of a fancy downside. Strategy TKS with warning, as it might depart discerning viewers craving for extra substance and authenticity.

Why TKS is working

In a panorama dominated by sensationalism and controversy, movies centred round unfavorable sentiments usually thrive on the field workplace. Sadly, TKS is a movie that exemplifies this off-putting reality. The creators shamelessly exploit anti-Islamic and anti-Pakistani sentiments, pandering to base instincts and producing fervour amongst those that harbour hateful ideologies.

As accountable members of society, we should recognise the risks of such initiatives and resist the attract of negativity. We must always try for a cinematic panorama that promotes empathy, tolerance, and real storytelling, moderately than succumbing to the seductive grip of hatred and distorted views.

The success of TKS can largely be attributed to 2 distinct elements: an viewers that both lacks a deep understanding of the Islamic religion or harbours a want to denigrate and undermine the picture of Muslims and Islam. Disappointingly, the movie’s triumph on the field workplace just isn’t on account of distinctive performances or standout dialogue and the course fails to exhibit any type of creative brilliance.

One can solely hope that discerning audiences, armed with a eager eye for discerning reality from fiction, will rise above the lure of such movies. It’s important to recognise and reject the poisonous narratives woven by work like TKS for his or her affect extends far past the confines of the silver display. By denouncing such propaganda masquerading as artwork, we are able to safeguard the integrity of the movie business and protect the ability of cinema to encourage, enlighten, and unite.

Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui is an avid film buff, and movie and drama critic and a digital inbound marketer. He tweets as www.twitter.com/shafiqulhasan81. All data and details are the duty of the author