Kerala CM Criticizes National Film Awards As Misuse for Communal Agendas

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the decision to award national film honours to 'The Kerala Story', calling it an endorsement of movies that spread communal hatred. He urged the film and cultural community to oppose such moves. The film was controversial for depicting the forced conversion and recruitment of women by terror groups.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Thiruvananthapuram | Updated: 02-08-2025 16:56 IST | Created: 02-08-2025 16:56 IST

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticized the national film award given to 'The Kerala Story,' terming it as an endorsement of efforts to misuse cinema to foster communal divides.

According to Vijayan, it is regrettable that a film undermining Kerala's secular ethos and defaming its image globally was honoured with a national accolade. He stated at the Kerala Film Policy Conclave that this award sends a damaging message that art can be used to dismantle national secularism in favor of communalism.

Vijayan urged the film community to oppose what he sees as a distorted portrayal of Kerala. He highlighted that the conclave was also designed to address why the Kerala film industry hasn't received the recognition it deserves and to discuss developing a comprehensive film policy for Malayalam cinema's growth.

(With inputs from agencies.)