Aadujeevitham National Award Snub: Ashutosh Gowariker Says THIS About Prithviraj Sukumaran's Performance
News18.com
Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 07:56 IST
Why did Prithviraj's Aadujeevitham lose out while The Kerala Story won Best Direction?
Prithviraj Sukumaran's much-anticipated survival drama Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) entered the 71st National Film Awards with high hopes and strong fan backing. But when the winners were announced, the film didn't pick up a single trophy — not even in categories where it was a clear favourite. Behind the scenes, it turns out there was division within the jury — and at the centre of it all was a film that many believe didn't deserve to win in the first place.
According to jury member and filmmaker Pradeep Nair, there were heated discussions around some of the major award decisions. The most debated pick was The Kerala Story, which walked away with Best Direction and Best Cinematography — honours that many believed should have gone to Aadujeevitham.
'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.
But he also admitted that he was outnumbered. 'I was the only one who labelled it as propaganda. Others argued that even if it was controversial, it tackled a relevant social issue." Why Aadujeevitham Didn't Win A National Award
Fans expected The Goat Life to make a strong sweep across categories — especially for its intense performances, stunning cinematography, and soundtrack. But jury chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker reportedly wasn't impressed.
'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," Nair explained.
Even the film's acclaimed music didn't break through. Nominations for Best Lyrics and Best Male Playback Singer slipped away, reportedly due to a technical issue. The producers failed to submit a proper English translation of Rafeeq Ahammed's lyrics — a misstep that cost them critical points.
KR Gokul, who had been gaining praise for his breakout role in the film, was also left off the final winner list. Though the jury appreciated his performance, Nair revealed it wasn't enough. 'The overall quality of the films was also a significant factor in final decisions," he added.
While Aadujeevitham went home empty-handed, Ullozhukku took the spotlight as Best Malayalam Film. The jury agreed it was a complete package. Shreyanka Mazumdar
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More view comments News movies » regional-cinema » Aadujeevitham National Award Snub: Ashutosh Gowariker Says THIS About Prithviraj Sukumaran's Performance Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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