FTII Students Slam National Award for 'The Kerala Story' as Dangerous Propaganda

The Students' Association of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has issued a scathing condemnation of the 71st National Film Awards' decision to honor The Kerala Story with two prestigious accolades: Best Director for Sudipto Sen and Best Cinematography. The controversial 2023 film, which sparked widespread debate for its depiction of women in Kerala being forcibly converted and recruited by the Islamic State, has been labeled by the students as "not a film, but a weapon" designed to vilify minorities and distort communal harmony.

In a powerful statement released on August 2, the FTII Students' Association accused the government of endorsing propaganda that aligns with a "majoritarian, hate-filled agenda." The students argued that The Kerala Story manipulates narratives to demonize the Muslim community and misrepresent Kerala, a state long celebrated for its progressive values, education, and interfaith unity. "Cinema is not neutral," the statement declared, emphasizing the medium's profound influence on public perception. The group warned that awarding such a film is "not merely recognizing art" but "legitimizing violence" by fueling misinformation and paranoia against minorities.

The students expressed alarm at the broader implications of the award, suggesting it could embolden social exclusion, political marginalization, and even physical violence. "This decision is scripting future lynchings," they stated, accusing the state of reducing cinema to a tool of "state-sponsored communalism." The FTII community vowed to resist the normalization of what they called "Islamophobia" in the film industry, rejecting the notion that propaganda deserves accolades. "We refuse to be silent as the industry we hope to enter is reshaped to reward lies, bigotry, and fascist ideology," the statement read.

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The controversy surrounding The Kerala Story is not new. Upon its release, the film faced accusations of factual inaccuracies and divisive storytelling, with critics arguing it exaggerated and distorted real events to push an anti-Muslim narrative. Supporters, however, claimed it shed light on critical issues of radicalization. The National Film Awards' decision to honor the film has reignited these debates, raising questions about the role of state-backed institutions in shaping cultural narratives.

The FTII Students' Association called on the film industry and the public to reject the use of cinema as a vehicle for hate. "Giving awards to propaganda does not make it true," they asserted, pledging to continue calling out the film for what they see as incitement and violence. As the debate intensifies, the awards have cast a spotlight on the delicate balance between artistic freedom, political agendas, and social responsibility in Indian cinema.

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