Kerala political leaders slam National film awards for honouring ‘The Kerala Story’

Srinagar, Aug 02: The ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress in Kerala have strongly criticised the decision to honour the controversial film The Kerala Story with major accolades at the 71st National Film Awards, calling it a move that promotes communal division.

Directed by Sudipto Sen, who won the Best Director award, and shot by cinematographer Prasantanu Mohapatra, who won for Best Cinematography, the film has been under fire for its portrayal of Kerala and its alleged communal messaging.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a sharp statement, accusing the award jury of insulting Indian cinema’s legacy of religious harmony and national unity. “Honouring a film that vilifies Kerala and fuels communalism is nothing short of endorsing the Sangh Parivar’s divisive agenda. This is an affront to the values upheld by Indian cinema,” he said. He called on Keralites and supporters of democracy to resist this “politicisation of art.”

State Education Minister V Sivankutty said the awards given to Kerala Story take the sheen out of the other awards bagged by Malayalam films. “It is unfortunate that a film which was full of baseless allegations and hate campaigns has been given the award. This is a recognition for the attempts to divide society. This tendency does not go in tune with the pluralism in the country,” the CPI(M) leader said.

Echoing the sentiment, Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said the awards were part of a larger attempt to stir religious hatred. “The intention behind recognising The Kerala Story is to propagate the BJP’s hate narrative. This is not about cinema, but about pushing a political agenda,” he said, accusing the Centre of using the National Film Awards as a platform for political messaging.

Both leaders reiterated that cinema should not be weaponised to advance communal politics, and urged people to remain vigilant against such efforts.