Sudipo Sen wins National Film Award for Best Director in The Kerala Story; online users comment, "Why wasn't the award given to Vanga for Animal?"
The 71st National Film Awards, held on August 1, 2025, honoured the best films, performances, and cinematic achievements from Indian films certified by the CBFC between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. However, the event was not without controversy, particularly surrounding the Best Director award and the film "The Kerala Story."
Directed by Sudipto Sen, The Kerala Story became a socio-political thriller headlined by Adah Sharma. Despite grossing over Rs 300 crore worldwide and becoming one of the biggest Bollywood hits in 2023, the film faced protests across the nation, was dubbed Islamophobic, and received negative reviews from audiences and critics.
The controversy surrounding The Kerala Story stemmed from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's strong criticism of the film being honoured, particularly for its portrayal of Kerala. He accused the film of spreading blatant misinformation intended to tarnish Kerala’s image and sow communal hatred, describing it as rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. He viewed the jury’s decision to award the film as an insult to Kerala’s legacy of communal harmony and Indian cinema's values of national integrity.
Specifically, The Kerala Story was criticized for its depiction of women in Kerala being forcibly converted and recruited by the Islamic State, which many, including the Kerala CM, considered to be a communal and misleading narrative.
Meanwhile, Sudipto Sen won the Best Director award for The Kerala Story at the 71st National Film Awards. However, some viewers and commentators felt that Sandeep Reddy Vanga should have won Best Director for his film Animal instead. Vanga’s film received multiple technical honours and was widely discussed on social media, adding to the perception that his direction was more meritorious.
Ranbir Kapoor's Animal took home three National Awards for Best Sound Design, Best Music Director (Background Score), and Special Mention for Re-recording. Sandeep Reddy Vanga is another director whose work, Animal, was mentioned as a contender for the Best Director award.
The controversy was about the communal and misleading content of The Kerala Story and the appropriateness of awarding it, combined with public and industry debate about whether Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s direction in Animal deserved greater recognition at the 71st National Film Awards.
The jury for the Feature Films section of the 71st National Film Awards was chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker. The list of winners for the awards was announced by the jury panel in a press conference at the National Media Centre, New Delhi. The full list of winners includes 12th Fail as the Best Film.
The 71st National Film Awards were not without their share of controversy, but they certainly provided a platform for discussion and debate within the Indian film industry.
The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, faced criticism and controversy due to its depiction being considered communal and misleading, particularly in the portrayal of women in Kerala and the alleged spread of misinformation about the state. This controversy sparked debate within the Indian film industry, with some viewers and commentators arguing that Sandeep Reddy Vanga's direction in Animal should have received more recognition, as evidenced by its numerous technical awards. Meanwhile, the event, hosted by Ashutosh Gowariker, also served as a platform for discussions and debates on various aspects of the environment, as showcased in the movies-and-tv and entertainment sector of India, including the Bollywood industry.
