Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly condemned the National Film Awards jury's decision to honor the film 'The Kerala Story' with two awards, including Best Director for Sudipto Sen. Vijayan asserted that the awards were an insult to the "noble tradition of Indian cinema," which has historically championed secularism, harmony, and national unity. He accused the jury of undermining these values by recognizing a film that he believes is built on lies, aims to defame Kerala, and spreads communalism.

Vijayan's criticism highlights the controversy surrounding 'The Kerala Story,' a film that faced legal challenges and widespread accusations of spreading misinformation even before its release. The Chief Minister argues that by honoring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury has legitimized a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology. He stated that Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision.

Other political figures in Kerala have echoed Vijayan's sentiments. V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition, criticized the decision, asserting that the BJP government is employing the National Film Awards as a tool to propagate its divisive campaign. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said that recognizing 'The Kerala Story,' a film that spreads hate and baseless allegations, devalues all the other awards. He added that it is regrettable that a national award is being given to a film full of baseless allegations and hate propaganda, which recognizes attempts to create divisions in society and does not augur well for the pluralism of the country.

Vijayan's statement also reflects a broader concern about the alleged weaponization of cinema for ideological propaganda. He believes the move mirrors the Sangh Parivar's agenda to use cinema as a tool to propagate communal ideology. He urged every Malayali and every believer in democracy to raise their voice against this injustice and unite against the politics that seek to turn art into a weapon of communal division.

Social media platforms have also been abuzz with criticism of the National Film Award jury's decision. Many individuals and organizations share the view that the award lends legitimacy to a film that promotes a false narrative and exacerbates communal tensions. The controversy underscores the deep divisions and sensitivities surrounding the film's portrayal of events and its potential impact on social harmony. The debate also brings to the forefront questions about the role and responsibility of national institutions in promoting films that may be perceived as divisive or politically motivated.