Actress Ulka Gupta has opened up about the intense backlash that followed the release of the trailer of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond. In an exclusive interview with Mid-Day, the actress spoke about the emotional toll, the political noise surrounding the film, and the online hate she faced after the trailer went live.
Ulka, who stars alongside Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha in the social drama, admitted that the subject matter itself had a deep impact on her. “Initially, I lost my sleep. I felt second-hand trauma after learning about their experiences,” she shared. Reflecting on the preparation process, she added, “As actors, you have to live the part to portray it truthfully. I had to tap into the bravest parts within me.”
However, the aftermath of the trailer release proved equally overwhelming. Ulka revealed that her social media accounts were flooded with hostility. “After the trailer release, every time I opened my DMs, there were hate messages”, she said. She further added, “People would even post beef recipes under my photos. And it was difficult for me to deal with it because, I'm somebody who confronts, but I had to keep myself low-key.”
Addressing the political undertones attached to the film, Ulka maintained that she never intended to enter a political debate. “As actors, we don’t want to get into politics. I never got affected because I knew I had signed up for this and that the hate would come.”
The actress also acknowledged criticism from Kerala following the trailer’s release. “I got a lot of criticism from Kerala. They did feel very triggered by a few scenes in the trailer. And I still stand by my perception and the character that I’ve portrayed. If it has triggered anyone in the wrong way, I only request them to kindly watch the movie and understand what the motive is. It is not to bring down any state or culture whatsoever. This movie is not about any religion. It is about the psychological manipulation of girls.”
Despite the controversy and the temporary stay on the film’s release, Ulka remains confident about the film’s journey. “The movie will find its audience, and if it is propaganda, it is up to them to decide. I was just sincerely connected with the story. I was also patient about the fact that the film will react the right audience.”
She concluded by reflecting on cinema’s larger role in society. “If a film doesn’t stir something within you, then what is it really doing? Cinema is meant to provoke thought and spark conversation. Some people will agree, some won’t — and that difference of opinion is the beauty of it.”
More Pages: The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond Box Office Collection
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