Grave Insult to Kerala: CM Vijayan on ‘The Kerala Story’ Winning National Film Awards
The National Film Awards, a prestigious recognition of outstanding cinematic achievements in India, has once again found itself at the center of a controversy. This time, it is the choice of ‘The Kerala Story’ directed by Sudipto Sen that has sparked outrage. The film, which has won two awards at the 68th National Film Awards 2025, has been criticized by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for spreading “blatant misinformation” and sowing communal hatred.
In a scathing attack on the National Film Awards jury, CM Vijayan took to social media to express his disappointment and anger at the decision. He stated that the film, which is based on religious conversions, has “gravely insulted” the state of Kerala, which has always stood strong against communal forces.
The controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ is not new. The film, which premiered at the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2022, has been accused of promoting communal tensions and spreading misinformation about the activities of Christian missionaries in Kerala. However, the National Film Awards jury has chosen to ignore these concerns and instead, has honored the film with two awards – Best Feature Film and Best Dialogue.
CM Vijayan’s reaction to the decision is not surprising, given the sensitive nature of the issue. Kerala has a long history of being a hub for Christian missionary activities, and the state has a significant Christian population. The controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ is not just about the film itself, but also about the timing of its release and the message it conveys.
The film, which is based on a true story, tells the tale of a young Hindu woman who converts to Christianity after being influenced by a Christian missionary. The story is set against the backdrop of Kerala’s coastal regions, where Christian missionaries have been active for decades. The film has been accused of portraying Christian missionaries in a negative light, and of promoting a communal agenda.
CM Vijayan’s criticism of the film is not new. In 2022, he had expressed concerns about the film’s content, saying that it was “misleading” and “biased”. He had also accused the filmmakers of trying to “sow communal hatred” and “divide” the people of Kerala.
The controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ is not just about the film itself, but also about the intentions of the filmmakers. The film’s director, Sudipto Sen, has been accused of having a hidden agenda, and of trying to promote a communal agenda through his work.
Sen, who is a Bengali filmmaker, has denied all allegations of promoting communal hatred. He has said that his film is a work of fiction, and that it is based on a true story. He has also accused the critics of the film of being “misinformed” and of not understanding the true intent of the film.
The National Film Awards jury, which has chosen to honor ‘The Kerala Story’ with two awards, has also been criticized for its decision. The jury, which is composed of prominent filmmakers and critics, has been accused of being biased and of not taking into account the concerns of the people of Kerala.
The controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ is a reminder of the importance of responsible filmmaking. Filmmakers have a responsibility to ensure that their work does not promote communal hatred or division. They also have a responsibility to ensure that their work is accurate and unbiased.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ is a grave insult to the state of Kerala and its people. The film, which has won two awards at the National Film Awards, has been criticized for spreading “blatant misinformation” and sowing communal hatred. The National Film Awards jury, which has chosen to honor the film, has been accused of being biased and of not taking into account the concerns of the people of Kerala.
The controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ is a reminder of the importance of responsible filmmaking. Filmmakers have a responsibility to ensure that their work does not promote communal hatred or division. They also have a responsibility to ensure that their work is accurate and unbiased.
Source: https://x.com/pinarayivijayan/status/1951306656807342553
