Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan deems the National Award for the film "Kerala Story" as a severe insult to the state.
In a strong statement, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticized the Indian government's decision to honour the movie "Kerala Story" at the 71st National Film Awards. The film, directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, has been embroiled in controversy due to its plot showing a group of women forcefully converted by the Islamic State.
The film, a 2023 release, has been accused of spreading blatant misinformation, tarnishing Kerala's image, and promoting a divisive ideology linked to the Sangh Parivar. Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the film sows seeds of communal hatred and insults Kerala's tradition of communal harmony and resistance against communal forces.
The Chief Minister was particularly critical of the National Film Awards jury for lending legitimacy to a narrative rooted in divisive ideology, without naming the film specifically. He stated that honoring "Kerala Story" is a grave insult to the state, and urged everyone who believes in democracy to raise their voice in defense of truth and constitutional values.
"Kerala Story" won the Best Director and Best Cinematography awards at the 71st National Film Awards. The film stars Adah Sharma in the lead.
This is not the first time Pinarayi Vijayan has spoken out against the film. Previously, he posted on social media, criticizing the film for its portrayal of forced religious conversions in Kerala. He accused the film of defaming Kerala and using art as a tool to promote communalism.
The Kerala government has also criticized the film's plot, stating that it is a distortion of the facts and a misrepresentation of the state's religious harmony. The controversy surrounding "Kerala Story" continues to rage, with many questioning the decision to honour the film at the National Film Awards.
[1] Times of India [2] India Today [3] The Hindu [4] NDTV
- The controversy surrounding the award-winning film "Kerala Story," which portrays forced religious conversions, has sparked a public outcry, with various news outlets covering the story, including Times of India, India Today, The Hindu, and NDTV.
- As many question the decision to honor "Kerala Story" at the 71st National Film Awards, industry experts discuss the implications of such an award on the entertainment business, especially considering the film's controversial plot.
- In the ongoing discourse, experts also examine the role of the National Film Awards jury in promoting movies that might potentially tarnish the image of a region or state, such as the controversial portrayal of Kerala in "Kerala Story."
- With the controversy around "Kerala Story" raising questions about the promotion of content that could provoke divisive ideologies, concerns are also being raised about emerging trends in Bollywood, including films that tackle sensitive subjects like religion, health, and social harmony.
