I lost interest in Halal Love Story (Love Story Per Muslim Law) sometime around the 30th minute but I soon regained it as the messaging became more apparent and the story began to hit me in my feelings. The message - that cinema is not unidirectional - is food for thought, but I am finding it unable to accept or deny it, especially with the concept of halal in cinema hovering above, which is what the film is all about. Performances are top-notch and I would like to mention Grace Antony (who is top-billed), Sharafudheen, and Joju George for giving some of the best acts seen this year. Music is another area where it excels. But despite all that, this comedy drama reduces itself as a veiled attempt at censoring, which I have a big problem with personally. Halal Love Story ends up as a half-baked feel-good attempt that depends on metaphors to push a divisive messaging concerning Islam. Although it clarifies that the messaging is only to satiate the sentiments of the few, it comes off as unpalatable and indoctrinate. (Grade D+). TN.

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