Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty has ignited a storm of controversy by questioning the exclusion of the Malayalam film Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) from the 71st National Film Awards, announced on August 1 in New Delhi. The critically acclaimed survival drama, directed by Blessy and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, was overlooked despite its eligibility and global recognition, prompting Sivankutty’s public outcry on social media. The decision has fueled accusations of bias and political interference, especially with the controversial The Kerala Story winning Best Direction and Best Cinematography. Through social media debates and statements from political figures, the award function faces a backlash, trending on X with #AadujeevithamSnub.
The Snub That Stunned
Sivankutty, a vocal supporter of Malayalam cinema, expressed disbelief, stating, “I like Shah Rukh Khan, but Prithviraj’s performance in Aadujeevitham was the best. How could the entire film be disregarded?” Certified on December 31, 2023, the film met the eligibility criteria, yet it won no awards, despite its ₹158 crore box office haul and nine Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actor for Prithviraj. Director Blessy’s revelation that jury chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker once praised the film’s desert visuals—comparing it to Lawrence of Arabia—only to later cite “technical issues” and “lack of authenticity,” has deepened the outrage.
Why the Award Function Faces Flak
The criticism isn’t isolated to Aadujeevitham. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the honoring of The Kerala Story—a film accused of spreading communal hatred—an “insult to Indian cinema’s legacy.” Education Minister Sivankutty echoed this, labeling it a “recognition of societal division,” while opposition leader V.D. Satheesan accused the awards of pushing a BJP hate narrative. Jury member Pradeep Nair’s objection to The Kerala Story’s win, citing its defamatory portrayal of Kerala, adds fuel. Fans and cinephiles argue the jury’s decision—favoring Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey over Prithviraj—ignores merit, with some linking it to Prithviraj’s controversial directorial venture L2: Empuraan.
A Cultural and Political Divide
The backlash highlights a clash between regional pride and national recognition. Malayalam cinema’s recent global rise—Aadujeevitham’s Oscar consideration and AR Rahman’s Hollywood Music in Media Award—clashes with the jury’s choices, dominated by Hindi cinema. The sole Malayali juror’s dissent suggests internal discord, while political leaders’ involvement raises questions of state versus central influence.
-By Manoj H