In a cinematic landscape often divided by ideology, filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah has finally addressed the elephant in the room: has his involvement in controversial projects like The Kerala Story and its upcoming sequel, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, cost him his friendships in Bollywood?
Speaking in an exclusive interaction ahead of the sequel’s release on February 27, 2026, Shah offered a candid look into the dynamics of the film fraternity—an industry famous for its close-knit bonds and high frequency of interfaith marriages.
“We Are Only Against Criminals”
The primary concern among industry observers has been whether Shah’s focus on sensitive subjects like forced religious conversions has created friction with peers who come from diverse backgrounds. Shah, however, dismissed these rumors with a grounded perspective. He emphasized that his colleagues are sophisticated enough to distinguish between a targeted agenda and a factual investigation into crime.
“The first thing is that our film, or me personally, we are not against any religion or any community,” Shah clarified. “We are only against criminals. The marriages that happen in our industry, or in the rest of society, are based on love and choice. We have no comment on that. We are only talking about those specific cases where a girl is trapped for a malicious purpose.”
Shah further explained that the research behind the films—including documented “rate cards” and legal case studies—is what drives the narrative, not a desire to critique the personal lives of his Bollywood contemporaries.
Navigating a Divided Climate
Despite the polarizing reactions to the original 2023 film and the heavy criticism from political figures like Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Shashi Tharoor, Shah maintains that his professional standing remains steady. While some filmmakers, such as Anurag Kashyap, have publicly voiced their disapproval of the sequel’s themes, Shah suggests that the “sensitivity” of the entertainment world allows for a professional distance between creative work and personal ties.
He noted that the industry understands the intent behind the The Kerala Story franchise is to “expose a crime” rather than to paint an entire community with the same brush. According to Shah, this clarity has prevented a fallout with long-time friends and collaborators.
The Industry’s “Sensible” Stance
When asked directly if his films have affected his personal relations, Shah was unequivocal:
No Personal Friction: He stated that there is “no problem” in his relations with industry veterans.
Professional Respect: He believes his peers recognize that cinema is a tool for communication and raising awareness.
Mutual Understanding: He highlighted that Bollywood insiders are “extremely sensitive” and can see the distinction between the fictionalized portrayals of real crimes and the secular fabric of their own lives.
As The Kerala Story 2 prepares to hit screens under a U/A certification, the filmmaker appears unfazed by the external noise. For Shah, the mission is to continue telling “uncomfortable truths,” confident that his roots in the industry are deep enough to withstand the storm of public debate. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
