A cryptic Facebook post by Kerala Police has added fuel to the ongoing public debate surrounding the 71st National Film Awards. Though intended as a warning against illegal immigration, the post mirrored the visual tone and message of Aadujeevitham – a Malayalam film that failed to win any award.
Opening with the line “We are Malayalis… not fools!!” and featuring a caption in the image saying “What is the point in going?”, the post indirectly resonated with the disappointment felt by many over the film’s complete omission. It reflected the broader sentiment in the state that the hardships portrayed in Aadujeevitham – and the efforts behind it – were unjustly overlooked.
While the post later shifted to highlight the risks of overseas migration without proper documentation, the initial reference struck a chord with audiences already angered by the jury’s decisions.