Watch film first: Kerala Story director on Pinarayi Vijayan's National Award criticism

India Today

02-08-2025

Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, condemned the National Award win for 'The Kerala Story'. In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in now, the film's director, Sudipto Sen, reacted to the criticism from the senior politician, referring to the Chief Minister's support for former Kerala CM, VS Achuthanandan, in the past.Sen said he read the entire post made by Vijayan on X, in which he called 'The Kerala Story' a film that "spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred."
advertisementWhen asked to comment on the post, Sen said he doubts that Vijayan had even watched his film before criticising its National Award win.
"I have, I have a mixed bag reaction. Number one, I'm sure he did not see the film. I would request, he's a very, very senior politician and a very, very revered politician, so I would request him to watch the film," he said.Sen recalled Vijayan's support for Achutanandan's statement a few years back. He elaborated, "And if he had watched the film, then he would know that 15 years back, his senior, Comrade VS Achuthanandan, came to Delhi to have a press conference to say that the way PFI (Popular Front of India) kind of communal outfits are converting women there, Kerala will turn into Islamic state in the next 20 years. It is on record. The video is available on YouTube. You need not check with me."He went on, "When he did that press conference in Delhi, there was a protest in Kerala. And you know who actually came in support of VS Achuthanandan sir? Mr Pinarayi Vijayan, who was his deputy in the Communist Party - I think he was the joint secretary or something. He supported VS Achuthanandan's concern wholeheartedly."Sen highlighted the irony of Pinarayi's current statement and his actions 15 years back."What he said at that time and what he's saying now are the complete opposite. Which Pinarayi Vijayan sir should I trust?"The filmmaker continued to call himself someone who believes in art, and is unaware of the dynamics of politics. He said, "I am not a politician. I don't understand their style of talking, the style of the strategies of their political life - how it evolves. I'm not the right person to make any comment on any politician's point."He then referred to the film's certification by the censor board, highlighting that due diligence was done while it was originally released in 2023."I will only say the censor board gave a certificate to the film after two months of rigorous checking. They checked the authenticity of each and every dialogue. I stand by every word spoken in the film. I stand by every scene shown in the film. And anybody can challenge my film shot by shot. I am there to answer."advertisement Sen said he would rather focus on the adulation that he's getting for the film, and for the prestigious honour. He said for every Pinarayi Vijayan-like criticism, there are hundreds of congratulatory messages that he would rather read first."The critics are outnumbered in the film. I love my critics. I love my people who praise the film, praise the award, congratulate me. As a human being, I am also a greedy person. I am counting the congratulations. I am right now only reading the congratulatory messages. I will be reading the criticism later," he concluded.'The Kerala Story' won two awards at the 71st National Film Awards - Best Direction, and Best Cinematography. The film follows a group of Kerala women who are coerced into embracing Islam, sexually abused and are eventually made to join ISIS. The initial promos claimed that thousands of Hindu women have been converted to Islam - which was challenged by various politicians.Following a court case, the makers accepted to add two disclaimers, stating that the figures mentioned in the film were "inauthentic and that the movie was a fictionalised depiction of events."- EndsMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Pinarayi Vijayan