Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan on Friday (August 1) strongly criticised the decision to honour filmmaker Sudipto Sen's The Kerala Story at the 71st National Film Awards, calling it an endorsement of divisive politics.
Sudipto Sen was named Best Director for The Kerala Story, which also won the award for Best Cinematography. Released in 2023, the film starred Adah Sharma in the lead role.
The film, which stirred controversy upon release, portrayed women from Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the Islamic State. However, the claims were dismissed by many political leaders and social groups in Kerala as exaggerated and inflammatory.
Chief Minister Vijayan, in a strongly worded post on X (formerly known as Twitter), accused the jury of legitimising a film that misrepresents Kerala and promotes communal discord.
"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 land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision," Vijayan wrote.
He added, "It is not just Malayalis, but everyone who believes in democracy, must raise their voice in defence of truth and the constitutional values we hold dear."
While criticising The Kerala Story's recognition, Vijayan also praised the broader achievements of Malayalam cinema at the awards. He congratulated actors Urvashi and Vijayaraghavan for winning Best Supporting Actress and Actor, respectively, calling their success a "remarkable moment" for Malayalam cinema.
Echoing Vijayan's sentiments, Congress leader Satheesan condemned the decision to award The Kerala Story, alleging that it was part of a broader political agenda.
“The film was given an award solely with the intention of promoting religious hatred. This is unacceptable,” Satheesan reportedly said in a statement. He accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar of politicising even cultural platforms like the National Film Awards to push a divisive narrative.
However, both leaders congratulated other winners from the Malayalam film industry, calling their achievements a true representation of Kerala's artistic excellence.
