'Gravely insulted': Pinarayi Vijayan on National Film Awards for 'The Kerala Story'
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Indian government of spreading misinformation by honouring a film that he claimed tarnished the state's image, hours after 'The Kerala Story' won two major titles at the 71st National Film Awards.
'The Kerala Story', which bagged the 'Best Director' and 'Best Cinematography' honours at the National awards, featured the controversial subject of forced religious conversion in the southern Left-ruled state to recruit people for the terror group ISIS.
In a strongly worded post on X, he also attacked the National Film Awards' jury over what he claimed was lending legitimacy to the Sangh Parivar's ideology.
"By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the National Film Awards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar," the chief minister said.
By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala’s image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala, a…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 1, 2025
"Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision. It is not just Malayalis, but everyone who believes in democracy, [who] must raise their voice in defence of truth and the constitutional values we hold dear," Vijayan said.
Directed by Sudipto Sen, 'The Kerala Story', featuring actor Adah Sharma, was released in 2023.
The film centres on the experiences of three women from Kerala, depicted as victims of 'love jihad.'
The BJP has been trying to break through the Kerala bastion held by the ruling Left alliance.
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