Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ambitious survival drama Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) entered the 71st National Film Awards as a frontrunner, with industry buzz and a strong fan base expecting it to win big.
But when the awards were announced, the film walked away empty-handed — sparking intense discussions among cinephiles and insiders alike. Behind this surprise snub lay a fractured jury and disagreements over a different, controversial winner.
Filmmaker and jury member Pradeep Nair has now revealed that The Kerala Story, which won Best Direction and Best Cinematography, was at the heart of heated debate. Many believed these honours should have gone to Aadujeevitham, a film widely praised for its visual richness and emotionally charged performances.
“As a Malayali on the panel, I raised serious objections. I questioned how a film that defames a state like Kerala and serves as propaganda could be considered for a national honour. I even conveyed my concerns directly to the jury chairperson," Nair said.
However, Nair conceded that his objections were not echoed by others. “I was the only one who labelled it as propaganda. Others argued that even if it was controversial, it tackled a relevant social issue."
So why did Aadujeevitham fall short? According to Nair, jury chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker had reservations. “He had seen the movie at a previous film festival in Goa and had serious concerns about the film’s adaptation and execution. Gowariker and others also felt the adaptation lacked naturality and the performances didn’t feel authentic."
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The film’s music — considered another strong contender — also suffered a setback. Due to a missing English translation of lyricist Rafeeq Ahammed’s work, Aadujeevitham was ruled out in key categories like Best Lyrics and Best Male Playback Singer.
Rising star KR Gokul also missed out, though Nair confirmed his performance was appreciated. “The overall quality of the films was also a significant factor in final decisions," he noted.
Meanwhile, Ullozhukku emerged as Best Malayalam Film — praised by the jury as a more complete cinematic offering.
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