Fri Aug 01 16:21:22 UTC 2025: **Kerala Leaders Decry National Film Award for “The Kerala Story”**

**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, August 1, 2025** – The National Film Award jury’s decision to award Sudipto Sen the best director award for the film “The Kerala Story” has sparked outrage in Kerala, with leaders across the political spectrum condemning the decision. The film, which has been accused of spreading misinformation and communal hatred, also received another unspecified award.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a strong statement, accusing the jury of insulting Indian cinema’s tradition of religious brotherhood and national integration by recognizing a film built on lies that defames Kerala and promotes communalism. He emphasized that the award lends legitimacy to a divisive ideology. “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 stated in a post on X, urging defenders of democracy to speak out in defense of truth.

General Education Minister V. Sivankutty echoed the sentiment, stating that awarding “The Kerala Story” devalues all other awards, calling it “extremely regrettable that a national award is being given to a film that is full of baseless allegations and hate propaganda.”

The film’s release two years prior was met with controversy. Though the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court did not ban the film, the producers were forced to remove its initial teaser, which falsely claimed 32,000 women from Kerala had joined ISIS. Later, they altered the trailer to focus on three women’s stories and added a disclaimer stating the film was a work of fiction.

Both the ruling Left Democratic Front and the opposition United Democratic Front in Kerala opposed the film, mirroring the sentiment of civil society groups. Only the Bharatiya Janata Party openly supported the film within the state.

In response to “The Kerala Story,” several social media posts and videos emerged, highlighting stories of communal harmony from Kerala. Filmmaker Sanu Kummil also produced a documentary, “The Unknown Kerala Stories,” showcasing six tales of communal amity from across the state.

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