Why Has the 71st National Film Awards Sparked Outrage in the Malayalam Film Industry?

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram- The announcement of the 71st National Film Awards on August 1, in New Delhi sparked significant controversy within the Malayalam film industry and among its supporters. While the awards recognized several performances and films across Indian cinema, the decisions drew sharp criticism from Kerala’s film fraternity, political leaders, and fans, particularly over the omission of critically acclaimed Malayalam films like Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life and Kaathal – The Core, and the contentious recognition of The Kerala Story.

The uproar, voiced by industry stalwarts like actress Urvashi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has highlighted concerns about fairness, transparency, and alleged political motivations in the award selection process.

The Malayalam film industry, renowned for its artistic storytelling, felt overlooked despite its strong contributions to Indian cinema in 2023. Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life, directed by Blessy and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, was a major omission. Based on Benyamin’s novel, the survival drama about a Malayali migrant worker enslaved in Saudi Arabia was certified by the Central Board of Film Certification on December 31, 2023, making it eligible for the awards.

Despite widespread critical acclaim for its technical brilliance and Sukumaran’s performance, it received no recognition. Veteran actress Urvashi, in an interview with Asianet News, questioned the jury’s decision, asking, “Was Aadujeevitham not a good film? Why was it not even given a mention?” Similarly, Kaathal – The Core, directed by Jeo Baby and starring Mammootty and Jyothika, was lauded for its sensitive portrayal of a gay man’s struggle in a conservative society. Despite its critical and social impact, the film failed to secure any major awards, fueling perceptions of bias among fans and industry insiders.

The awarding of Best Director to Sudipto Sen and Best Cinematography to Prasantanu Mohapatra for The Kerala Story became a focal point of criticism. The 2023 film, which claimed to depict the forced conversion of Kerala women to Islam and their recruitment by ISIS, was widely criticized as inflammatory.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the jury’s decision, calling it an “insult” to the state and Indian cinema’s secular tradition. In a statement, he argued that honoring The Kerala Story lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in divisive ideology. Other political leaders, including Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan and state ministers like Saji Cherian and V. Sivankutty, echoed this sentiment, accusing the central government of using the awards to further a political agenda. The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Students’ Association also protested, labeling the film as propaganda.

In a strongly worded statement, the students stated, " The Kerala Story is not a film—it is a weapon. A falsified narrative aimed at vilifying the Muslim community and demonizing an entire state that has historically stood for communal harmony, education, and resistance. When a govt endorsed body elevates a film that spreads misinformation and paranoia against minorities, it is not merely “recognising art”—it is legitimizing violence. It is scripting future lynchings, social exclusion, and political othering. It is telling a billion people: "This hate is acceptable. This is the story we choose to reward.We refuse to accept that our craft..should be reduced to a tool of state-sponsored communalism." Actresses like Ranjini criticized the decision, calling it a disservice to Indian cinema’s values.

Further discontent arose over the categorization of performances. Urvashi, who won Best Supporting Actress for Ullozhukku, questioned why her role, which shared equal screen time with co-star Parvathy Thiruvothu, was deemed supporting rather than leading. She also expressed dismay over Vijayaraghavan’s Best Supporting Actor win for Pookkaalam, arguing that his transformative performance as a 100-year-old man deserved consideration for Best Actor or a Special Jury Mention.

“How did you distinguish between Vijayaraghavan’s and Shah Rukh Khan’s performances? On what criteria?” she asked, highlighting the lack of transparency in the jury’s process. Urvashi noted that she had declined the female lead role opposite Vijayaraghavan in Pookkaalam due to the extensive prosthetic makeup required, but praised his dedication, stating, “He endured it all at his age. That alone deserves recognition.” Her comments resonated with fans who felt regional cinema was overshadowed by Bollywood, exemplified by Shah Rukh Khan’s Best Actor win for Jawan, shared with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail.

While Malayalam cinema secured some recognition, with Ullozhukku winning Best Malayalam Film and Pookkaalam earning Best Editing, these wins were overshadowed by the perceived snubs of Aadujeevitham and Kaathal, and the controversy surrounding The Kerala Story. The backlash was amplified by fans and industry figures who accused the jury of prioritizing politically aligned narratives over artistic merit.

Urvashi’s call for Union Minister Suresh Gopi to investigate the jury’s process reflected a broader demand for accountability. The Kerala government’s response, including efforts to counter The Kerala Story’s narrative, underscored the depth of opposition to the jury’s decision. The 71st National Film Awards have thus sparked a significant debate about the credibility of the selection process, with the Malayalam film industry and its supporters calling for greater transparency to ensure that artistic excellence, not political agendas, defines recognition at India’s most prestigious film awards.