Moment Muslim activists storm Birmingham screening of controversial Bollywood film about Islamic State

22 May 2023, 15:26

Shakeel Afsar led the protests against The Kerala Story
Shakeel Afsar led the protests against The Kerala Story. Picture: 5 Pillars

By Kit Heren

This is the moment Muslim activists in Birmingham stormed the screening of an "extremist" film about the Islamic State in an attempt to shut it down.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Protesters led by Shakeel Afsar, who also campaigned to block a school in Birmingham from teaching about LGBT equality, can be seen at the showing of Kerala Story at the Cineworld in Birmingham on Friday evening.

The scenes were captured by Muslim group 5Pillars, who posted the footage onto their YouTube channel.

Cineworld confirmed that the screening had been paused while staff dealt with the protesters, but said that the film began playing again soon afterwards.

Indian film Kerala Story tells the story of Hindu and Christian people in the Indian state of Kerala who are recruited by terrorist group the Islamic State.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

Anti-Muslim movie The Kerala Story screening disrupted in Birmingham

Some Muslims consider the film Islamophobic and have claimed it is propaganda for the country's ruling BJP party, who have been criticised for their treatment of the sizeable Indian Muslim minority. Some politicians in Kerala have called for the film to be banned.

In the ten-minute clip, Mr Afsar can be heard saying: "This film is lies. This film is made to divide us. We have lived together for many years... Narendra Modi [the prime minister of India] has endorsed this film.

"An extremist has endorsed this film. We will not allow it."

The activists were eventually ejected from the Birmingham screening, and staff were able to start the film again.

Read more: Police 'give words of advice' to boy who sent death threats to autistic student who lightly scuffed Quran at school

Mr Afsar at the screening
Mr Afsar at the screening. Picture: 5 Pillars

One staff member can be heard saying: "If you're not going to be quiet, we are not going to stop this film again. If you want to watch this film you should calm down first. I am going to resume this film.

"We're trying to deal with this in the best way we can. We've paused the film, we've turned the lights on, we've called the police."

Cineworld spokesperson said: 'A customer incident at Cineworld Birmingham on Broad Street caused brief disruption to a screening of Kerala Story.

"Cineworld staff dealt with the incident swiftly and the screening was resumed with minimal delay."

Read more: Muslim gangs tell inmates 'convert or get hurt' and offer 'protection' to new prisoners if they take up Islam

Read more: Casey report: 10 damning claims against Met include bacon hidden in Muslim officer's boots and 'sex obsessed' officers

The Kerala Story star Adah Shah
The Kerala Story star Adah Shah. Picture: Getty

Kerala Story's teaser trailer claims that 32,000 women were forced to convert to Islam and become terrorists for Islamic State.

But Alt News, an Indian fact-checking website, that said there was no evidence to support this claim.

Mr Afsar has been banned from protesting outside Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham after leading a local protest against the teaching of LGBT equality.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The UK will unveil new sanctions to "turn the screws" on Russia as it marks three years since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

UK to ‘turn the screws’ on Russia with new sanctions on three-year anniversary of Ukraine war

Netanyahu says the prisoners that were meant to be released today won't be until the next group of hostages is handed over .

Release of 602 Palestinian prisoners delayed until next group of hostages released 'without humiliating ceremonies', Netanyahu says

The M4 and the M48 have both been closed this evening after multiple people reported seeing a body on the road.

Two major motorways closed after human remains found on the road as drivers stuck for hours

The heavy iron roof at the Real Plaza Trujillo shopping centre, in the La Libertad region, fell onto dozens of people who were at the site.

Six people killed and 78 injured as Peru shopping centre food court roof collapsed in horror incident

Two guards were killed when armed assailants helped Amra escape from a prison convoy in Normandy last May, prompting a high-profile search.

Fugitive French prisoner 'the Fly' who staged deadly escape and prompted international hunt arrested in Romania

Yellow weather warning issued in the UK

Yellow warning issued as UK set to be battered by wind and rain in ‘severe weather’ on Sunday

Pope Francis.

Pope in 'critical condition' after suffering respiratory crisis, the Vatican says

French firefighters (C) operate near the site of a bladed weapon attack where a man is suspected of killing one person and wounding two municipal police officers in Mulhouse, eastern France on February 22, 2025.

One killed and several police officers injured in suspected terror attack in France

A police officer who removed a monitored offender's tag so that she could have a secret relationship with him has been jailed.

Police officer jailed after removing burglar’s tag to have secret sexual relationship with him

Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell have called on the Government to rethink proposals to relax copyright rules in a bid to protect creative talent from artificial intelligence (AI).

Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell unite behind copyright campaign to protect creative talent from US AI firms

Scratchcard.

Thieves win half a million on lottery ticket bought with stolen credit card

A police officer guards at the cordoned off Holocaust memorial after a man was attacked at the memorial site in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

Suspect in Berlin Holocaust Memorial stabbing wanted to kill Jewish people, police say

A prison guard..

Prisoners forced to give birth while handcuffed to male officers

Hamas fighters stand in formation as they prepare for the ceremony of Israeli hostages hand over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Release of 602 Palestinian prisoners delayed due to 'assaults' say Hamas, amid 'violations' of ceasefire agreement

Tears of joy as sixth Israeli hostage handed over by Hamas - as 602 Palestinians poised for release

Tears of joy: Sixth Israeli hostage handed over by Hamas - as 602 Palestinians poised for release

Girl, 3, dies after a tram and van collide in Manchester

Girl, 3, dies after a tram and van collide in Manchester