Malayalam director Jeo Baby questions National Film Award for The Kerala Story

India Today

5 hours ago

Director Jeo Baby, who has helmed films like 'Kaathal - The Core' and 'The Great Indian Kitchen', recently reacted to the 71st National Awards winners. While mentioning 'The Kerala Story', he emphasised how National Awards have lost their value over the years.Jeo, in a recent interview with Hindustan Times, stated that films that "back the agenda of the ruling parties", are given preference at the National Film Awards. He said, "For the past 10 years or so we have seen this pattern. Movies that seem to back the agenda of the ruling parties have won awards at the national level. These awards seem to have no significance now, as they are encouraging plots and scripts that only the people in power believe in. Why have these awards when the movies cannot be treated on merit? What's the value of these awards?"advertisementThe 'Kaathal - The Core' director also stated that 'The Kerala Story' not just misrepresented facts, but also its "script, direction and acting" were not at par with National Film Awards standards. "No. Personally, I've no such disappointment. But the awards given to 'The Kerala Story', a movie that misrepresented facts, is hugely disappointing. Not only was the movie full of lies, it was also shoddily made. The script, direction and acting were below par. Such misrepresentation of facts is quite scary," he added.
Recently, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticised the National Award win for 'The Kerala Story'. The Kerala CM in his X post wrote, "By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #National FilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar (sic)."He further wrote, "Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision. It is not just Malayalis, but everyone who believes in democracy, must raise their voice in defence of truth and the constitutional values we hold dear. (sic)"The film's director, Sudipto Sen, in an interview with India Today said, "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."'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.Apart from 'The Kerala Story', there were also mixed reactions to actor Shah Rukh Khan winning Best Actor for 'Jawan'. Director Blessy also expressed disappointment over 'The Goat Life' being snubbed by the jury.The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, 2025.- EndsMust Watch