71st National Film Awards: Filmmaker Sudipto Sen has been awarded Best Director at the 71st National Film Awards for his 2023 film The Kerala Story. The film, which also won Best Cinematography for Prasantanu Mohapatra, was one of the most talked-about and controversial releases of the year. Despite polarised reactions, the film was a commercial success and earned over Rs 300 crore globally.
The Kerala Story Plot and Where to Watch?
The Kerala Story, which released in theatres on May 5, 2023, and later premiered on ZEE5 in February 2024, focuses on a group of women from Kerala who are depicted as victims of forced religious conversion and radicalisation by the Islamic State. The story follows three main characters, played by Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, and Sonia Balani, who are shown as being manipulated into leaving their families and joining ISIS.
The film was marketed using a highly controversial teaser that claimed 32,000 women from Kerala had been radicalised and trafficked to war-torn countries like Syria and Yemen.
Speaking to TimesNow, lead actor Adah Sharma expressed immense pride in the recognition. She said the award validated the intense emotional performances and effort put in by the cast and crew, singling out Sen and Mohapatra for their creative vision.
Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who also served as the film’s creative director, The Kerala Story featured an ensemble cast that included Siddhi Idnani, Devadarshini, Pranay Pachauri, and others.
71st National Film Award Winners
Besides Sen’s recognition, the 71st National Film Awards also honoured Vikrant Massey and Shah Rukh Khan jointly with the Best Actor award for 12th Fail and Jawan, respectively. Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was named Best Popular Film for Entertainment, while Kathal took home the Best Hindi Film award.
The Kerala Story Plot and Where to Watch?
The Kerala Story, which released in theatres on May 5, 2023, and later premiered on ZEE5 in February 2024, focuses on a group of women from Kerala who are depicted as victims of forced religious conversion and radicalisation by the Islamic State. The story follows three main characters, played by Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, and Sonia Balani, who are shown as being manipulated into leaving their families and joining ISIS.
The film was marketed using a highly controversial teaser that claimed 32,000 women from Kerala had been radicalised and trafficked to war-torn countries like Syria and Yemen.
Speaking to TimesNow, lead actor Adah Sharma expressed immense pride in the recognition. She said the award validated the intense emotional performances and effort put in by the cast and crew, singling out Sen and Mohapatra for their creative vision.
Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who also served as the film’s creative director, The Kerala Story featured an ensemble cast that included Siddhi Idnani, Devadarshini, Pranay Pachauri, and others.
71st National Film Award Winners
Besides Sen’s recognition, the 71st National Film Awards also honoured Vikrant Massey and Shah Rukh Khan jointly with the Best Actor award for 12th Fail and Jawan, respectively. Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was named Best Popular Film for Entertainment, while Kathal took home the Best Hindi Film award.
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