Sudipto Sen, the director of the controversial film The Kerala Story, has made it clear that he intentionally avoids working with big stars like Shah Rukh Khan. He believes that collaborating with major actors can compromise a director's creative authority, stating, “When a big star comes, your responsibility is to make his film.” Sen emphasizes that he prefers to focus on storytelling and artistic expression rather than catering to star power. Released in 2023, The Kerala Story, featuring Adah Sharma, tackles the contentious topic of 'love jihad' and the alleged radicalization of Hindu women. Despite facing criticism for its narrative and factual accuracy, the film was a box office hit and gained traction on OTT platforms, even winning a National Award. Reflecting on this recognition, Sen described the award as a magical moment, expressing surprise that he and his cinematographer were honored instead of the film's actors. His journey underscores the balance between artistic integrity and commercial success in filmmaking.