The National Film Awards for 2025 have stirred controversy, particularly concerning the recognition given to Sudipto Sen's "The Kerala Story." The film, which explores the alleged religious conversion of women from Kerala and their recruitment into ISIS, received awards for Best Director (Sudipto Sen) and Best Cinematography (Prasanthanu Mohapatra). This decision has sparked sharp criticism, especially from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has strongly condemned the awards jury.
Vijayan has accused the jury of "lending legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar,". He argues that the film spreads misinformation and communal hatred, tarnishing Kerala's image and insulting the state's long-standing tradition of harmony and resistance against communal forces. Vijayan believes the awards jury is turning cinema into a tool for a communal agenda. He has called on Malayalis and all those who believe in democracy to protest against this "injustice" and the "political misuse of art to foster communalism".
Other Kerala leaders have echoed Vijayan's sentiments. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty stated that recognizing "The Kerala Story," a film that spreads hate and baseless allegations, devalues all the other awards. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal mirrored Vijayan's sentiments, asserting that the film promotes a "rotten agenda" and should be discarded. He believes the award exemplifies how the ruling party sponsors and promotes hate from the highest levels of government. V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, also criticized the decision, alleging that the government is using the National Film Awards as part of its hate campaign.
Conversely, Ashutosh Gowariker, head of the Feature Film Jury, defended the decision to honor "The Kerala Story." He praised the film's realistic cinematography and the clarity with which it conveyed a difficult subject matter. Gowariker noted that the cinematography never overpowered the narrative and that the jury felt the need to applaud the film's clear portrayal of a challenging topic.
Sudipto Sen has spoken about his inspiration for making "The Kerala Story," recalling his interviews with survivors of conversion. He described the hardships they faced, including living without electricity and being ostracized. Sen's film claims that thousands of women from Kerala were converted and forced into terrorism by ISIS, a claim that has been widely disputed.
"The Kerala Story," released in May 2023, became a commercial success but also faced heavy criticism for its controversial claims. The film was even banned in West Bengal. The film's narrative revolves around women who were allegedly brainwashed into converting to Islam, with some being recruited into ISIS. Following legal challenges, the filmmakers were compelled to include disclaimers stating that the figures regarding the number of Kerala women joining ISIS were inaccurate and that the film is a fictionalized depiction.
The controversy surrounding "The Kerala Story" and its National Film Awards win highlights the ongoing tensions and debates about freedom of expression, political narratives, and the portrayal of sensitive social issues in Indian cinema. The film remains a divisive topic, with some viewing it as a brave exposé and others as propaganda that promotes misinformation and communal division.
