Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has slammed the National Film Award for the film ‘Kerala Story’, claiming that such a film was honored and tarnished the image of the state.
‘The Kerala Story’ won the ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Cinematography’ awards at the 71st National Film Festival. The film is related to the controversial subject of forced religious conversion in the southern state to recruit people for the terrorist group ISIS.
Taking X, Vijayan said that the film “Blattent misinformation” spreads and not only insulted the Malayalis by honoring the film, but everyone who believes in democracy.
CM said, “By honoring a film honoring a film with a clear intention to tarnish the image of Kerala and sow the seeds of communal hatred, the National Film Awards jury has given validity to a story contained in the divisive ideology of the Sangh.”
Honoring a film that explicitly spreads wrong information with a clear intentions to tarnish the image of Kerala and sow the seeds of communal hatred, the jury jury #Nationalfilmawards The union is provided validity for a legend contained in the divisive ideology of the family. Kerala, A…
– Pinarai Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 1, 2025
“Kerala, a land that is always standing as a beach of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been severely humiliated by this decision. It is not only Malayalis, but every person who believes in democracy should raise his voice in defense of truth and we consider constitutional values to be dear,” he said.
Kerala General Education Minister V Shivkutty also criticized the Chief Minister of the film, saying that the agreement to the film “reduced the value of the National Awards”.
“It is regrettable that an award is given to a film filled with baseless allegations and hate publicity. It is not an honor for art, but the efforts to divide the society are recognized,” the minister said.
Actor Adah Sharma starrer film, ‘The Keral Story’ was directed by Sudeepto Sen, released in 2023. The film follows the life of three women from Kerala, depicted as a victim of ‘Love Jihad’.
