‘Gravely insulted’: CM Pinarayi Vijayan slams National Award jury over The Kerala Story

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sharply criticised the 71st National Film Awards jury for awarding The Kerala Story Best Director and Best Cinematography, accusing the panel of endorsing a divisive Sangh Parivar narrative.

In a statement on X, Vijayan said the jury “lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar,” tarnishing Kerala’s image and communal harmony. He called the decision an insult to Indian cinema’s noble tradition of promoting religious brotherhood and national integration.

“Through this, they are turning cinema into a tool for a communal agenda,” the CM added. He urged Malayalis and democratic citizens nationwide to protest what he called an injustice and political misuse of art to foster communalism.

The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, won two top awards despite controversy.

Released on May 5, 2023, the film was a commercial success but faced heavy criticism for its claim that 32,000 missing women from Kerala were forced into terrorism —a claim widely disputed.

The film was also banned in West Bengal by the Mamata Banerjee government.

Vijayan’s strong reaction highlights ongoing tensions around the film’s political and social implications.