Thread by @ArunKrishnan_

Intermission.

This movie is scary. As a parent, even scarier.

@adah_sharma has done a fabulous job.

The ease with which Hindu girls at an impressionable age can be brainwashed is frightening.

Hinduism's natural openness and acceptance can and is being used against it. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

@adah_sharma It is 1:35 AM in the morning. EO and I just got back from watching the #KeralaStory. I don't know where to start. There hasn't been a movie that has scared and distrubed me as much as this movie has, in a long long time.

3There has also not been another movie that I have connected to, like I have done with #TheKeralaStory .
Perhaps being a father helps. Being a father of daughters, helps even mor.
#TheKashmirFiles spoke about the past. This one, talks about the present. 3/n

The story itself is based on real events. At the end of the movie, they show actual video clips of some of the people who were affected and it is heartbreaking.

The movie shows reality. As it happens. Of how the conversion mafia targets Hindu and Christian girls 4/n

As a Hindu, what struck me was the fact that Hindus, by nature of belonging to an open and accommodating religion, are at a far greater risk of being converted. They are also seen as easier prey than say Christians who have a very strong faith.5/n

One scene in the movie spoke to me. Hindu communist parents are asked by their daughter - "You fed me all this western ideology of communism, but you never taught me about our own religion and culture". I bet many of my followers on Twitter can relate to it.
6/n

The movie shows how belittling of the Hindu faith is easy. As one where the Gods are unable to save even themselves or their wives (Rama) and hence what hope is there of saving anyone else?
This isn't new. I have seen this same trope 30 years ago when I was in hostel. 7/n

In a Christian school, there would be books lying around vilifying Hindu Gods. We took it in our stride and joked about it. But what I realise now, is that by joking about it and not taking umbrage, we essentially signalled that our religion/faith could be trifled with 8/n

without any consequences.
EO remarked that the one girl that they found difficult to convert, was the Christian, since her faith was strong.

The movie also shows the dark side of ISIS. Some of the scenes are tough to watch. The rape scenes especially. 9/n

Watching it with one's daughter was tough. The scenes however were essential to the story. The ISIS cult has been shown as is, without holding back. The transnational nature of the cult is alluded to and the enablers in India are shown trapping these girls very methodically 10/n

The movie itself has been shot and edited beautifully. Not a single scene has been wasted. The actors, all of them, even ones in small roles have done a fantastic job. The four girls, Devadarshini as the mother, even the male actors playing the monsters - 11/n

The acting of all of them was topnotch.
The music was eerie and appropriate. Sunidhi Chauhan's opening song was evocative but the song at the very end, a song in Arabic(?) or some language was haunting.
As we left the theatre, there was a deathly silence. 12/n

You could see it in the faces of the people. This film had an impact on everyone in the theatre, which, by the way, was full.
I don't usually do movie recommendations, but if I have one movie to recommend this year, this would be it. 13/n

So Indians, go watch the movie.
If you are a parent, go watch it.
If you are a parent of girls, absolutely go watch it.
If you are a parent of girls who are in their teenage, please go watch it.
If you are a parent of boys, go watch it.
Hindus, do go watch the movie. 14/n

Spread the word to your friends and neighbours. Don't let the folks who don't want you to watch this movie, shut you down.
GO WATCH IT!

#TheKeralaStory #KeralaStory

15/15