After 'The Kerala Story' won the awards for best director and best cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the ceremony for lending "legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology." Accusing the film of spreading misinformation, he said it aims at "sowing seeds of communal hatred" and "tarnishing" the image of his state. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen was awarded Best Director and Prasantanu Mohapatra for Best Cinematography for their role in 'The Kerala Story'. "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 National Film Awards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar," Vijayan said. "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 added. 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 The 2023 film had drawn sharp criticism from the CPI(M)-led Kerala government during its release for its plot, which revolves around a group of women who were depicted as victims of forceful religious conversion and radicalisation by the banned outfit Islamic State. The film ended up grossing over Rs 300 crore globally.
