US EditionControversy Erupts as FTII Condemns National Award for 'The Kerala Story'
PUNE DIVISION, MAHARASHTRA, AUG 4 – The FTII student association calls the National Award for The Kerala Story dangerous propaganda that spreads misinformation and communal hatred, with filmmaker Sudipto Sen winning Best Director.
- On August 2, 2025, the student body of FTII strongly criticized the National Award granted to the 2023 film 'The Kerala Story'.
- The condemnation came after the National Film Development Corporation awarded 'The Kerala Story' honors for Best Director and Best Cinematography during the latest edition of the National Film Awards amid ongoing controversy.
- The FTII students stated that the film presents a falsified narrative vilifying the Muslim community and demonizing Kerala, which historically upheld communal harmony, education, and resistance.
- They criticized the award, stating it sends a message to millions that hatred is tolerated and such narratives are endorsed, accusing it of validating falsehoods, Islamophobia, and violence targeting minority communities.
- The FTII body’s denunciation implies potential risks for social exclusion and political othering, and rejects cinema’s use as a tool of state-endorsed communal propaganda.
14 Articles
14 Articles
FTII students condemns national awards for The Kerala Story, calls it 'weapon, not film'
The student group of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has strongly condemned the Union government’s decision to name the controversial movie The Kerala Story for best direction and cinematography for the 71st National Film Awards. The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1 by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey were jointly awarded Best Actor for Jawan and 12th Fail…
Not a film, but a weapon: Pune FTII students decry National Award for 'The Kerala Story'
Speaking to Onmanorama, General Secretary of the association Barsha Dasgupta confirmed that the FTII body had collectively issued the statement in.The Kerala Story, FTII, National Awards, film controversy, Islamophobia, communal harmony, Pinarayi Vijayan, film awards, student protest, Indian cinema
National award for 'The Kerala Story' is disappointing, dangerous: FTII students body
Pune, Aug 4 (PTI) A students’ outfit at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has strongly condemned the decision to confer a national award to “The Kerala Story”, citing that the government-backed recognition for the film is “not simply disappointing, but dangerous”. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen won the Best Director award for “The Kerala […]
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