"National Award jury criticized sharply by CM Pinarayi Vijayan for The Kerala Story"
In a bold move, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised the 71st National Film Awards jury for awarding "The Kerala Story" with the Best Director and Best Cinematography accolades. Vijayan accused the jury of endorsing a divisive Sangh Parivar narrative, tarnishing Kerala's image, and communal harmony, and turning cinema into a tool for a communal agenda.
The movie, directed by Sudipto Sen and released on May 5, 2023, has been a commercial success but has faced heavy criticism for its claim that 32,000 missing women from Kerala were forced into terrorism. This portrayal, strongly opposed by Vijayan and his government from the start, has been widely disputed.
Vijayan described the awards as an insult to the noble tradition of Indian cinema that upholds religious brotherhood and national integration. He went on to urge Malayalis and democratic citizens nationwide to protest what he called an injustice and political misuse of art to foster communalism.
In addition, the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal banned "The Kerala Story." Despite the controversy, the film won two top awards, with Sudipto Sen taking home the Best Director award and the cinematographer earning the Best Cinematography honour. However, it did not win any awards in other categories.
Vijayan's strong reaction to the awards given to "The Kerala Story" highlights ongoing tensions around the film's political and social implications. The film's portrayal of women as victims of forced religious conversion and radicalization by the Islamic State in Kerala has sparked heated debates and protests, with some claiming it spreads misinformation and sows communal hatred.
As the controversy surrounding "The Kerala Story" continues, it remains to be seen how the film's awards will impact its reception and the broader conversation about artistic freedom and its role in shaping public opinion.
- The controversy over "The Kerala Story" has extended beyond the realm of entertainment, with historical, political, and social implications becoming prominent in discussions.
- The film's portrayal of women in Kerala has sparked debates not just in the realm of news but also in the broader discussion on religious harmony and national integration.
- The awards won by "The Kerala Story" in the categories of Best Director and Best Cinematography have ignited a broader conversation about artistic freedom and its role in shaping public opinion.
- The divisive narrative endorsed by the film has not been limited to its genre, but has also raised concerns in the domains of health, general news, and politics.
