Here’s something to think about – a critically acclaimed film like Jai Bhim, starring Suriya as a Communist lawyer fighting for justice in a real-life-inspired story, failed to win any National Awards. Meanwhile, Pushpa: The Rise, a film glorifying a red-wood smuggling gang and portraying a smuggler as a hero while vilifying the police, took home a National Award.

This raises an important question: Are films with meaningful messages and true-to-life narratives being overlooked by the system?

Take Pushpa 2: The Rise, for instance. Despite its global success at the box office, the film has faced criticism for its storytelling and moral undertones. Adding to the controversy, a tragic incident occurred earlier this month during its premiere, where a woman lost her life in a stampede at a theatre.

Does this reflect a larger issue about the values being celebrated in cinema? Shouldn’t films like Jai Bhim, which highlight real struggles and promote justice and equality, be prioritized for recognition over stories that glorify criminality?

What does this say about the direction of the film industry and the criteria for accolades? It’s worth asking – are we, as a society, celebrating the right stories?

Image Credit : The Week