The 71st National Film Awards, announced on Friday, honoured Sudipto Sen as Best Director for The Kerala Story, a film that has long been criticised in Kerala for spreading misinformation and communal stereotypes. The film also picked up Best Cinematography, adding to its profile—much to the dismay of many in the southern state.

The Kerala Story centres around three women allegedly lured into extremism in the name of “love jihad”—a theory promoted by right-wing groups that has been widely dismissed by credible sources. The film’s claim that 32,000 women from Kerala had joined the Islamic State (ISIS) was not only unsubstantiated but contradicted by government data. Between 2014 and 2020, only 19 of 177 people arrested nationwide for ISIS links were from Kerala, according to RTI responses.

Despite this, the film has been promoted as fact, contributing to a narrative many in Kerala see as targeting the state's secular and inclusive character.

Political friction over telecast and screenings

Tensions deepened earlier in 2024 when the film was telecast on national broadcaster Doordarshan just before the general elections. This came despite strong objections from Kerala’s ruling CPM and opposition Congress. Churches in Idukki and later Thamarassery and Thalassery dioceses screened the film too, showing how the film’s reach extended across segments.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned Doordarshan’s role, accusing it of becoming a tool of the Sangh Parivar’s communal politics. In response, the state government released a campaign titled The Real Kerala Story, highlighting its message of unity and religious harmony.

The decision to award The Kerala Story is being seen by critics in Kerala as another political move by the BJP-led Centre.