Following The Kerala Story’s recent recognition at the National Film Awards, Adah Sharma has spoken out in defence of the film, insisting that telling the stories of its real-life victims was a moral obligation. The actor, who played one such victim in the film, said the project was based on the accounts of young women allegedly trafficked, radicalised, and forced into terrorist organisations.
In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Adah said, “Everyone is allowed to have their opinion. I think it would have been shameful not to make this film. I have met 25 girls who went through the horrors. The film is a diluted version of what they went through.” She shared that she was initially nervous about how survivors would react but was relieved when they appreciated the portrayal. “After meeting those girls, I felt it was my responsibility to tell their story,” she added.
Addressing the backlash labelling the film’s award win as “shameful” and “politically motivated,” Adah stated, “If telling the truth is being shameful, then I don’t mind being shameless. I have no shame in saying I am anti-terrorism. People who are calling it shameful, I think it has hit a nerve, and I don’t think nerves are hit by lies.”
Pushing back against claims of political undertones, she explained, “There is no mention of any political leader or party. For me, it has been a story of girls who are trafficked, brainwashed, and taken to become terrorists. I stand with these girls. If that is political, then so be it.”
While debates around The Kerala Story continue, Adah has a busy line-up of projects ahead. She recently played a pole dancer in Sunflower and is now filming two horror projects and an action film, all expected to wrap by December. She has also completed a trilingual action drama in which she plays a Devi, set for release in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.