The recent announcement of the Kerala State Film Awards has sparked controversy, not over who won, but over who was seemingly overlooked. The jury, led by veteran actor Prakash Raj, decided not to present any awards in the children's film or acting categories. This omission has drawn sharp criticism, most notably from Deva Nandha, the young actress acclaimed for her performance in Malikappuram.

A Bold Stance: Deva Nandha Voices Her Disappointment

Deva Nandha, whose Instagram account is managed by her parents, shared a powerful and direct message aimed at Prakash Raj and the jury. She posted a clip of the jury chairman discussing the children’s categories during the post-announcement press conference, juxtaposed with scenes from her 2024 film Gu.

Her critique centered on the perception that the jury demonstrated a "blindness" towards the significant contributions of young artists. She wrote, “You can close your eyes to kids, but don’t say it’s all dark here. Children are also a part of this society; the jury closed its eyes with the announcement of the 2024 Malayalam Film Awards against the upcoming generation.”

This statement is more than just disappointment; it's a profound observation that neglecting the efforts of child artists is a disservice to the entire industry and the future talent it relies upon.

Overlooked Performances: A List of Young Contributions

In her argument, Deva Nandha provided concrete examples of recent films that featured strong performances from young actors in 2024, highlighting the presence of children's cinema that merited recognition. She cited films such as Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, her own film Gu, as well as Phoenix and ARM.

Her point is clear: the absence of awards in the children's category was not due to a lack of eligible or commendable work. This makes the jury's decision to skip the category a puzzling move for many in the industry who advocate for encouraging young talent.

Beyond Denial: Inspiring the Next Generation

Deva Nandha directly addressed the implied reasoning that perhaps the decision was intended to push for a higher standard or prompt the making of more children's films. She strongly rejected this notion, arguing that denying recognition is counterproductive to reform.

She expressed her "strong resentment" toward the jury chairman, pointing out the contradiction in Prakash Raj's spoken words about children being part of society and needing more opportunities, versus the jury’s final decision.

"It’s not by denying awards to two children that one should try to say more children’s films should be made. If you had given awards to two children, it would have become an inspiration for many others," she asserted.

Her powerful conclusion summarized the sentiment: “It’s not by denying rights that reforms should be ushered in; rights should also be protected alongside reforms.” The young actress's brave comments underscore the vital need for institutions like the Kerala State Film Awards to actively nurture and recognize the immense potential and hard work of the youngest members of the film fraternity.
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