The National Film Award jury’s decision to bestow two awards, including the best director award to Sudipto Sen, for the film The Kerala Story has invited a storm of criticism in Kerala.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement marking his protest, said the jury insulted the noble tradition of Indian cinema that stood for religious brotherhood and national integration by awarding a film that was built on lies to defame Kerala and spread communalism.
“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 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. 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,” he posted in X.
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said recognising The Kerala Story, a film that spreads hate and baseless allegations, devalued all the other awards.
“It is extremely regrettable that a national award is being given to a film that is full of baseless allegations and hate propaganda. This is a recognition of attempts to create divisions in society. Such trends do not augur well for the pluralism of our country,” he said.
