The Kerala Story

The story starts in Kerala, a southern Indian state where Shalini grows up with her mother and grandmother and later studies nursing. The narrative then unfolds across several nations, tracking a harrowing journey from the Afghan-Iran border to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and finally Syria as she is groomed for extremism. These settings anchor the film's exploration of cultural identity, manipulation, and the reach of extremist networks.

🧠 Radicalization

The film shows how a tightly knit group indoctrinates Shalini, pressuring her to abandon previous beliefs and adopt a militant ideology. It highlights manipulation, fear, and peer pressure as tools of recruitment. The theme examines how vulnerability and the desire for belonging can be exploited by extremist networks.

💔 Trauma

Shalini experiences coercive conversion, a forced marriage, and abandonment by her partner, leading to deep emotional and personal loss. The narrative foregrounds the intimate costs of radicalization on individuals and families. The story portrays ongoing emotional scars that shape her choices and future.

🌍 Trafficking & Migration

The story traces cross-border movements that transport Shalini from Kerala to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Syria, highlighting how vulnerable individuals can be exploited. It exposes the logistics and detachment involved in trafficking for extremist purposes. The journey emphasizes the fragility of identity amid forced relocation.

🎭 Identity & Conversion

The film centers on the tension between Shalini's Hindu background and the imposed religious identity shaped by the extremist group. It explores how personal identity can be overridden by collective dogma. The theme also considers the cost of losing agency to a coercive ideological framework.