fazTimes media: Thiruvananthapuram— Sudipto Sen's movie The Kerala Story, which has won several National Film Awards, has caused a lot of political unrest in Kerala. Both Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan have strongly criticized the decision. The film has been controversial for a long time because it shows women from Kerala being wrongly portrayed as being radicalized and joining the Islamic State. Some people in the country are happy with the jury's decision and think it's a good recognition of strong storytelling. But many in Kerala believe it's an effort to harm the state’s image and spread harmful ideas.

“A Betrayal of Indian Cinema’s Legacy," Says CM Vijayan

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly criticized the awards. In a statement from the state capital, he said the film is based on made-up stories and that giving it an award is a disgrace to the legacy of Indian cinema. He said the jury has sided with the Sangh Parivar’s plan to use cinema as a tool for political messages by rewarding a film that spreads false information for communal purposes.

Vijayan also called on every citizen who cares about democracy in India to oppose the use of arts for political gain. He added that this award harms Kerala’s reputation worldwide and sends a harmful message about the kind of stories the country is now supporting. However, he also praised the achievements of Malayalam cinema.

"Urvashi and Vijayaraghavan winning national awards is a proud moment for all Malayalis. Their work shows the true spirit of Indian cinema—real, grounded, and peaceful," he said. The Opposition has joined in criticizing the decision, calling the National Film Awards a way to spread religious hatred. V. D. Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition, shared the views of Vijayan and went further in his criticism. He accused the BJP-led government of using the awards to promote hate.

“This film wasn’t awarded for its quality as a movie, but because it helps spread a biased story about religion,” said Satheesan. “This is not acceptable in a country like India that values diversity and equality. ”

He said the film The Kerala Story has been used to show Kerala in a negative light.

Kerala is known for being progressive and having peace between different religious groups. “Kerala has always been a place where people of all faiths live together peacefully. By giving this film national recognition, the BJP and the Sangh Parivar are trying to change that image to help their political goals,” he added.

About the Film: A Tale or a Tool?

Directed by Sudipto Sen, The Kerala Story was promoted as a tough, real-life-based film. BBC News reported that fact-checkers and experts noticed “many mistakes and exaggerated parts” in the film’s story.

One of the significant disagreements was about the claim that 32,000 women from Kerala joined IS—a number that no government or intelligence group has proved. Some people watched the film and felt it was a warning, but others, including film experts, called it “a planned effort to create fear and divide people, pretending to be a story.”

According to Al Jazeera, the film’s popularity wasn’t just because of its story—it was also very political. Right-wing groups widely shared the film on social media and received support from BJP leaders. In many states, party members organized showings, and the discussions after the movie often focused more on supposed dangers from certain groups than on the film itself.

Art, Propaganda, or Both?

Renowned filmmaker Anjali Menon, who didn’t mention the film directly, shared her thoughts on X (formerly Twitter):

“Cinema should challenge society, not take advantage of its problems. Let’s not mix being provocative with being brave in art.”

Now, many filmmakers and people who talk about culture are questioning whether national groups like the Directorate of Film Festivals are staying neutral or are supporting certain political ideas.

Public Sentiment: A Split Reaction

In Kerala, especially among young people and academics, the response has been mostly negative. Students at a well-known liberal arts college in Kochi had an informal discussion, and most of them felt that giving an award to The Kerala Story is a negative sign. They believe it shows who gets to decide what stories are told about India’s culture.

On the other hand, a smaller group, mostly those who support conservative views, were happy with the film’s recognition.

A BJP supporter at a show in Thiruvananthapuram said, “It’s time someone spoke about harsh truths. This movie dared to do that.” Divergent opinions also exist online.

Hashtags like #JusticeForKerala and #CinemaNotPropaganda are popular in the region, but others like #KeralaStoryExposedTruth are promoted by nationalistic groups.

What This Means for Indian Movies in the Future

Whether you like the movie or not, the bigger question is: are awards like the National Film Awards still meant to celebrate great art, or are they now just another way for political power to show off?

With voices from different parts of the country, like Vijayan and Satheesan, speaking up, the focus is now on the people who choose the winners and the government department that handles media. They need to explain their choices and make sure Indian cinema stays true to its purpose.

Last Thoughts

Malayalam movies are gaining global recognition for their profound narratives and real-life relevance, yet the controversy surrounding The Kerala Story highlights the delicate balance between presenting a message and exploiting it inappropriately.

Awards are important to both people who make movies and people who watch them. When these awards appear to value arguments more than understanding, it's normal for people to wonder who is telling whose story.

As leaders in Kerala have pointed out, it's no longer just about movies—it's about the heart of how a country tells its stories.

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