Archive · 4 Nov 2025
Kerala Minister Defends Jury on Children's Film Awards Snub Amid Actress's Criticism
The people who give out film awards in Kerala decided not to give any awards to children's movies this year.
The Minister for Culture explained that the movies submitted just weren't good enough, and that only a small number of all the movies sent in were considered high quality.
He also said they need to find ways to make more good movies for children.
But a young actress named Deva Nandha disagrees.
She said that many kids acted really well in some movies, and it's not fair to ignore them.
She thinks it's important to recognize children's work in movies, just like adults.
She feels it's wrong to say there weren't good children's films and then expect more to be made.
This has started a discussion about how to better support movies made for and starring children in Kerala.
Kerala Minister Saji Cherian defended the jury's decision to not award any children's films at the 2024 Kerala State Film Awards.
The Minister stated that the jury found insufficient creative merit in the submitted children's films.
Child actress Deva Nandha expressed disappointment, arguing that several films featured strong child performances that were overlooked.
Deva Nandha criticized the jury's reasoning, stating it is unfair to deny awards to deserving child actors while calling for more children's cinema.
The controversy has sparked a broader discussion on the need to promote and support children's films in Kerala.
- Who
- Kerala State Minister Saji Cherian and child actress Deva Nandha
- What
- A controversy over the Kerala State Film Awards jury excluding children's films from awards, with the Minister defending the decision and the actress criticizing it.
- When
- Following the announcement of the 2024 Kerala State Film Awards
- Where
- Kerala, India
- Why
- The jury did not find sufficient creative merit in the submitted children's films, while critics argue that deserving child actors were overlooked.
Jury/Minister's Stance
Actress Deva Nandha's Stance
Merit of Submitted Films
Jury/Minister's Stance
The jury did not find sufficient creative elements in the submitted children's films to merit an award, with only about 10% of all submitted films meeting quality standards.
Actress Deva Nandha's Stance
Several films with strong child performances, such as 'Sthaanarthi Sreekuttan', 'Gu', 'Phoenix', and 'A.R.M.', were overlooked, and denying awards to deserving child actors is unfair.
Encouraging Children in Cinema
Jury/Minister's Stance
The jury chairman, Prakash Raj, noted the need for the government and film industry to actively promote and support children's films, acknowledging children's contributions to society.
Actress Deva Nandha's Stance
Ignoring children's contributions and then calling for more children's cinema is contradictory and disheartening. Children are part of society and deserve equal recognition.
- Minister
- Saji Cherian (State Minister for Films and Culture)
- Jury Chairperson
- Prakash Raj
- Number of Films Submitted
- 128 (for 2024 Kerala State Film Awards)
- Films Cited by Deva Nandha
- 'Sthaanarthi Sreekuttan', 'Gu', 'Phoenix', 'A.R.M.'
- Minister's Commitment
- To actively promote and support children's films, and convene a meeting with stakeholders.
