Honoring Propaganda Undermines Cinema’s Integrity
‘The Kerala Story’ Award is an Insult to Secular India

The Social Democratic Party of India strongly condemns the 71st National Film Awards’ decision to honor ‘The Kerala Story’ with Best Director and Best Cinematography awards, announced on August 1, 2025. This recognition of a film widely criticized for spreading divisive propaganda and misinformation undermines India’s secular values and the integrity of its cinematic heritage.

‘The Kerala Story’ falsely portrays Kerala, a state renowned for its communal harmony, as a hub of “love jihad” and ISIS recruitment. Its claim that 32,000 women from Kerala joined ISIS was debunked by Alt News, with an RTI response from the Ministry of Home Affairs revealing only 19 individuals from Kerala among 177 arrested nationwide for ISIS-related activities between 2014 and 2020. The film’s “love jihad” narrative, a baseless conspiracy propagated by right-wing groups, vilifies the Muslim community and fuels communal discord.

The jury’s praise for the film’s “stark and realistic” cinematography and “clear storytelling,” as articulated by chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker, ignores its factual inaccuracies and divisive impact. The film’s ban in West Bengal and screening disruptions in Tamil Nadu due to law-and-order concerns underscore its polarizing effect, while its tax-free status in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh suggests political endorsement.

This award reflects a troubling trend of propaganda films in India, such as ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘Sabarmati Report’, that promote right-wing agendas while evading factual accountability. These films, often supported by BJP-led governments, incite Islamophobia, as evidenced by communal violence in Akola, Maharashtra, in 2023, triggered by a social media post about ‘The Kerala Story’. By honoring such a film, the National Film Awards risk legitimizing narratives that sow division and misrepresent India’s pluralistic ethos.

The SDPI urges the National Film Awards jury to avoid decisions that endorse divisive narratives, as such actions are unsuitable for an independent body and harmful to art and culture. Cinema must foster harmony and truth, not division. We call on all Indians to reject hate-driven narratives and champion justice, inclusivity, and communal harmony in our nation’s cultural and social fabric.

P Abdul Majeed Faizy
National General Secretary
Social Democratic Party of India