After the backlash regarding the "32,000" figure, the filmmakers modified their stance, stating that the film is the story of who were among the many victims. While the legal defense focused on these individual stories (claiming they were composites of real-life victims like Nimisha Nair and others), critics argued that the film continued to present these specific cases as a widespread, systemic epidemic.

Here’s a concise write-up on The Kerala Story :

The film faced multiple legal hurdles before and after its release, eventually reaching the Supreme Court of India.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Indian National Congress (INC) in Kerala opposed the film. They argued it was part of a "hate factory" agenda designed to demonize the Muslim community and the state of Kerala ahead of upcoming elections. They cited the low number of actual ISIS recruits from the state as proof that the film was a fabrication intended to polarize voters.