Director Jeo Baby, who has helped films like ‘Kathl – The Core’ and ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ recently reacted to the 71st National Award winners. Referring to ‘The Kerala Story’, he emphasized how the National Awards have lost their value over the years.

Jeo, recently in an interview Hindustan TimesIt is said that films which “return the agenda of the ruling parties” are given preference in the National Film Awards. He said, “We have seen this pattern for the last 10 years either. Films to return to the ruling parties’ agenda have won the award at the national level. These awards now have no importance, because they are encouraging plots and scripts that people believe only in power. Why can’t these awards be treated?

The director of the ‘Kathl -The Core’ also said that the ‘story of Kerala’ not only presents the wrong facts, but its “script, direction and acting” was also not equal to the National Film Award standards. “No, personally, I have no such disappointment. But the award given to ‘Kerala Story’, a film that presents the facts incorrectly, is extremely disappointing. Not only a lie -filled film, it was also hung.

Recently, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticized the National Award for ‘The Keral Story’. In his X post, Kerala CM wrote, “Honoring the film, honoring a film, with a clear intentions to tarnish the image of Kerala and sow the seeds of communal hatred, the jury of #national Filmwards has given validity to a story in the Dijiv Idology of Sang Parvar (SIC).”

He further wrote, “Kerala, a land that is always standing as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been seriously insulted by this decision. It is not only Malayans, but everyone who believes in democracy should raise their voice in protecting the truth and we consider constitutional values to be dear. (SIC)” “

In an interview with India, the director of the film, Sudeepto Sen said, “I have a mixed bag reaction. Number one, I am sure he did not see the film. I will request, he will request, he is a very, very senior politician and a very revered politician, so I will request him to watch the film.”

‘The Kerala Story’ won two awards in the 71st National Film Awards – Best Direction and Best Cinematography. The film follows one The group of Kerala women who are strong In embracing Islam, sexually abuses and eventually designed to join ISIS.

Apart from ‘The Kerala Story’, actor Shah Rukh Khan also gave mixed reactions to win the best actor for ‘Jawan’. Director Ashirwad also expressed disappointment over snatching ‘The goat life’ by the jury.

The 71st National Film Awards were announced on 1 August 2025.