The Kerala State Film Awards 2025 have taken an unexpected turn — not for the winners themselves, but for the controversy surrounding one of them.
Filmmaker and screenwriter Deedi Damodaran, a founding member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), took to Facebook to criticize the awards jury for granting the Best Lyricist Award to Hirandas Murali, popularly known as rapper Vedan, who had previously been accused in a rape case.
In her post, Deedi didn’t mince words, asserting that “the jury owes the women of Kerala an apology.”
This statement sparked a heated debate about ethics, accountability, and sensitivity in the entertainment industry — a discussion that parallels the ongoing conversation about responsibility and transparency in every professional sphere, including digital marketing strategies for small businesses.
Let’s dive deeper into this issue — not just as news, but as a reflection of how public accountability, reputation, and credibility work, both in Bollywood, movies, and in business.
The Controversy Explained
The uproar began after the Kerala State Film Awards announced their list of winners, with rapper Vedan receiving the Best Lyricist Award.
While the jury’s decision was based on artistic merit, the public backlash was immediate — since Vedan was accused in a sexual assault case earlier in the year. Although legal proceedings are ongoing, many felt the recognition was insensitive to survivors of gender-based violence.
Deedi Damodaran’s post captured this sentiment perfectly:
“By honoring someone accused in a rape case, the jury has disrespected women across Kerala. The women of this state — and the Women in Cinema Collective — deserve an apology.”
Her statement reignited conversations around moral responsibility in art and how institutions must balance talent recognition with ethical considerations.
Who is Deedi Damodaran?
For those unfamiliar, Deedi Damodaran is not just a screenwriter but a prominent voice in gender equality within Indian cinema.
She has written acclaimed films like Gulmohar and Naayika and co-founded the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) — an organization dedicated to ensuring safe, inclusive workspaces for women in the film industry.
Her outspoken nature and advocacy for women’s rights have made her a leading figure in Malayalam cinema’s ongoing fight against sexism and exploitation.
💡 Takeaway for professionals:
Deedi’s response reflects how taking a stand for values builds credibility — whether you’re a filmmaker, entrepreneur, or digital marketer. In business, as in art, your ethics define your brand far more than your achievements.
The Jury’s Role and Responsibility
The Kerala State Film Awards are among India’s most respected regional honors. But with respect comes responsibility.
Critics argue that by awarding someone facing serious allegations, the jury sent the wrong message to:
Women working in cinema, who already face systemic challenges.
The audience, who trust the award system to uphold moral and artistic standards.
Future artists, who see recognition as validation of behavior as much as skill.
This controversy reminds us that institutions must balance artistic freedom with ethical judgment — a delicate but crucial responsibility.
Parallel to Business Ethics: Why Reputation Management Matters
The fallout from this decision offers an important lesson — one that applies not just to the entertainment industry but also to small businesses building digital brands.
In today’s online world, reputation is everything. A single misstep can erode trust built over years.