Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticised the decision to honour The Kerala Story at the 71st National Film Awards. He accused the jury of endorsing a film that, according to him, spreads falsehoods and creates communal tension.
Film Sparks Political Backlash
The film’s director, Sudipto Sen, won the Best Director award, and the film also received the Best Cinematography award. But these honours reignited public and political debate over the movie’s controversial themes. The film claims to portray cases of forced religious conversion and ISIS recruitment of women from Kerala—topics that many in the state say are misleading.
CM Takes to Social Media
CM Vijayan took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment. He wrote, “By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala’s image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar.”
He described Kerala as “a beacon of harmony” and said this award insulted not just Malayalis but all who support democracy and constitutional values.
By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala’s image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala, a…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 1, 2025
Opposition Leader Calls It a Political Decision
Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan also criticised the award. He claimed the decision was politically motivated. “The film was given an award solely with the intention of promoting religious hatred. This is unacceptable,” Satheesan said. He further accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar of using the National Awards to push their ideology.
Film Faced Earlier Criticism
Released in 2023, The Kerala Story starred Adah Sharma. From the beginning, it drew strong criticism. Many politicians and social organisations in Kerala rejected its claims as exaggerated and dangerous. They accused the filmmakers of using cinema to promote a communal agenda.
Praise for Malayalam Film Winners
Despite the controversy, both Vijayan and Satheesan praised Malayalam actors Urvashi and Vijayaraghavan. They won Best Supporting Actress and Actor, respectively. Vijayan called their win “a remarkable moment” and said it reflects Kerala’s proud tradition in cinema and arts.
This incident has brought forward a larger debate—what separates artistic expression from propaganda? In today's tense political environment, this question has become more important than ever.