Exclusive - The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen on CM Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism of National Award win: ‘I stand by every word of my film’

While social media was abuzz with divided opinions, Sudipto Sen said he stands by every dialogue of his film.

Director Sudipto Sen won the National Award for Best Director for his hard hitting movie The Kerala Story on Friday evening but he found himself in the centre of both celebration and controversy.

The film, which narrates the alleged radicalisation and trafficking of young women from Kerala, has been a lightning rod for debate since its release.

The latest flashpoint came from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who condemned the film’s National Award win, implying that the recognition validated a politically charged narrative. While social media was abuzz with divided opinions, Sudipto Sen said he stands by every dialogue of his film.

During an exclusive chat with Moneycontrol, we asked Sudipto about his reaction to Kerala CM's tweet and him condemning the award for the movie, to this he said: "I am not a politician."

"I really can't answer politicians it went because when Panari Vijayan sir is the Chief Minister then what statement he's giving, 15 years back when  VS Achuthanandan said Kerala will turn into an Islamic state then the first person who defended him was Panari Vijayan sir. I have the paper cutting of that time and the paper cutting of today. So, if it changes drastically then I can't say because politics is their business film making is my business. So, I can't really counter the politicians they are they are senior. But I would request him I think he did not see the film. I request to watch the film and as I always said that I stand by every word spoken in my film. I stand by every dialogue of the film, I stand by every visual of the film. So, I am ready to face any kind of challenge for any part of my film whether it is a one shot or a or a full film," he said.

"Commenting specifically on Honorable Chief Minister's comment, I think I should avoid that because I am not the right person to answer," he added.

Pinarayi Vijayan posted on his X account that he was 'gravely insulted' by the jury's decision to honour 'The Kerala Story' a film that misrepresents Kerala.

By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala’s image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala, a…

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 1, 2025

In a post shared on X, he wrote, "By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala’s image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision. It is not just Malayalis, but everyone who believes in democracy, must raise their voice in defence of truth and the constitutional values we hold dear."

During the conversation, Sudipto told us that he has received over 200 congratulatory calls and hundreds of messages on Instagram which he is yet to reply.

The Kerala Story became from being a small, issue‑based film to a national talking point. Despite political criticism, Sudipto Sen’s work resonated with audiences across the country, leading to its sustained box‑office performance and now, the highest recognition for a filmmaker in India.

Sudipto Sen, the National Award, was unexpected and deeply emotional. “I never thought I would get Best Director. Honestly, I expected some of my technicians or actors to get it. We worked for three years like a family on 'The Kerala Story' and later on 'Bastar...' . When one person in the family wins, the whole family celebrates,” he said and revealed that Adah Sharma, the leading lady of The Kerala Story was the first one to call him.

Sudipto says the journey of The Kerala Story was anything but easy. The film was based on real‑life testimonies and 10 years of research, the project involved interviewing over 500 girls across Kerala and collaborating with local organisations that rescue victims of trafficking.

During his research for The Kerala Story, Sudipto met families who had lost daughters, survivors who had endured trauma, and girls whose stories were too shocking to ignore.

“One girl who had been repeatedly raped for five days personally came to narrate her story. Another girl’s parents begged me to include the photo of the man responsible for her suicide. Our script was built on stories that were not just real—they were defendable in any forum," he recalls.

The director also touched on the heaviness of the subject, acknowledging that controversy was inevitable. The film faced boycotts, political opposition, and criticism for being 'propaganda,'  yet it endured. Sudipto Sen says for him the National Award is more than a trophy, it is validation for years of struggle and the courage to tell a story he believes the nation needed to hear.

Even as congratulatory messages pour in, the filmmaker is already thinking ahead and says 'after 24 hours you will find me back on sets' .

His upcoming release, Saharasri, continues his focus on hard‑hitting, socially relevant narratives. “I like working on real stories that challenge audiences and ask difficult questions,” he affirmed that his cinema will remain rooted in truth, not comfort.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

Q: Congratulations on winning the National Award for Best Director. How does it feel?

Sudipto Sen: “It’s definitely a surreal feeling because I never expected the award. I mean, we’ve watched the movie and it is really nice. When a film becomes so big, it is much bigger than Indian cinema has ever experienced. I knew that when a film sustains this long, it must be technically excellent. Honestly, I expected some of my technicians, my scriptwriter, or my actors to get the award—not me as Best Director.

Q: What do you have to say about Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism on The Kerala Story winning National Awards?

Sudipto Sen: I really can't answer politicians it went because when Panari Vijayan sir is the Chief Minister then what statement he's giving, 15 years back when  VS Achuthanandan said Kerala will turn into an Islamic state then the first person who defended him was Panari Vijayan sir. I have the paper cutting of that time and the paper cutting of today. So, if it changes drastically then I can't say because politics is their business film making is my business. So, I can't really counter the politicians they are they are senior. But I would request him I think he did not see the film. I request to watch the film and as I always said that I stand by every word spoken in my film. I stand by every dialogue of the film, I stand by every visual of the film. So, I am ready to face any kind of challenge for any part of my film whether it is a one shot or a or a full film. Commenting specifically on Honorable Chief Minister's comment, I think I should avoid that because I am not the right person to answer."

Ques: Were you shocked to hear your name announced for Best Director?

Sudipto Sen: Kind of, yes. We always say filmmaking is teamwork. We worked for three years on The Kerala Story and then on Bastar. It became like a family—our actors, technicians, and producers. So when anyone in the family gets an award, it’s shared by everyone. Everyone congratulated me; it became a family celebration. Adah was the first one to call me after the win.

Ques: The Kerala Story tackled a very sensitive and controversial subject. What was your biggest challenge as a filmmaker?

Sudipto Sen: Before shooting, our script was backed by almost 10 years of research. We travelled across all districts of Kerala, interviewed over 500 girls, and worked closely with organizations like Aarsha Vidya Samajam in Kerala, which rescues these girls. All these rescued girls are there, they helped me a lot. We tried to reach the extreme and closest to the truth. So met those girls. If you have seen the film, Shalini Unnikrishnan is still in the UN centre in Afghanistan/Iran border

I met parents of a girl who committed suicide—they asked me to include the photograph of the man responsible. Another girl, who was repeatedly raped for five days, wanted her story told. This film is 100% defendable because every story in it is based on truth and meticulous verification. It was very difficult, but we did it."

Ques: The film faced criticism and controversy right from its release. How did you deal with it?

Sudipto Sen: Filmmaking is always hard work there is no shortcut. The filmmakers I grew up admiring taught me that every frame takes dedication. This award is an incentive, yes, but more importantly, it acknowledges that the film was dealing with truth and national security concerns. I always say, I stand by every word, every line, every shot of my film. Our responsibility as filmmakers becomes bigger when we are ambassadors of truth.”

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Ques: This award puts you in the national spotlight. What will it change for you in the industry?

Sudipto Sen: As a filmmaker, my job is to keep making films. I have already received more than 200 calls and hundreds of messages I couldn’t reply to yet. My next film is again a hard‑hitting subject, releasing this October. I like working on real‑life stories that challenge audiences and raise difficult questions. This award is not just about The Kerala Story. It is a message to every Indian woman, your rights and safety matter. The story may have begun in Kerala, but its message is for every woman in India.

With his National Award win, Sudipto Sen says he is determined to continue making hard‑hitting cinema that sparks conversation—regardless of controversy.