Malayalam filmmaker Jeo Baby strongly reacts to 'The Kerala Story' getting National Award: 'Such misrepresentation…'

Malayalam filmmaker Jeo Baby recently shared how the National Awards have lost their value in the current era. In an interview, the director, who helmed projects like 'Kaathal - The Core' and 'The Great Indian Kitchen', stated that movies that spread the propaganda of the ruling parties are honoured with the awards.

Jeo Baby on National Film Awards

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Jeo Baby shared that in the last decade, he has witnessed this pattern. He added that the awards have not lost their significance now, as the government is pushing the plots and scripts that align with the one who is ruling.


He said, "Why have these awards when the movies cannot be treated on merit? What’s the value of these awards?"

Jeo Baby on 'The Kerala Story'

The filmmaker further stated that 'The Kerala Story' not only misrepresented the facts about the state but also its "script, direction and acting" were not according to the National Film Awards standards.

He further shared that he has no "disappointment" at a personal level. However, the director added that he is not happy with 'The Kerala Story' getting the award. He emphasised that the movie was not made properly. He said, "Such misrepresentation of facts is quite scary."


Earlier, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had expressed his disappointment after 'The Kerala Story' was announced as the winner in the Best Direction and Best Cinematography categories at the National Awards. The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, 2025. The film also received several criticisms from the Kerala audiences as well.

More about the film

Meanwhile, the film's story revolves around three Kerala women who are forced to follow Islam and eventually made to join ISIS. The movie was backed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, while Sudipto Sen helmed the project. It was released in May 2023 and earned over Rs 300 crore at the box office.



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