Child actor Deva Nandha has publicly taken issue with the Kerala State Film Awards jury, specifically criticizing its chairman, Prakash Raj, for the exclusion of categories dedicated to children’s performances and films. Deva Nandha, who has impressed audiences in films like ‘Malikappuram’ and ‘Gu’, used her Instagram platform to voice her discontent.
In a statement posted on her Instagram account, managed by her parents, Deva Nandha shared a video of Prakash Raj’s comments. She accompanied it with her own message: “Close your eyes to the kids, but don’t say it’s dark all over here. Children are also part of this society.” She believes the jury’s decision regarding the 2024 awards reflects a disregard for the younger generation of talent in Malayalam cinema.
Nandha passionately argued that children are vital components of both society and the film world. She pointed to several recent films, including ‘Sthanarthi Sreekuttan’, ‘Gu’, ‘Phoenix’, and ‘ARM’, which featured notable child performances. She suggested that awarding these young actors would have served as a significant source of motivation. “It is not by sitting without giving awards to two children, but trying to say more children’s movies should be done. If it had been given to two children, it would have become energy for many children,” she elaborated.
The young actress expressed frustration that the jury chairman, who had previously advocated for greater opportunities for children and their inclusion in society, did not recognize the rights of child artists. She concluded by calling for broader dialogue among the media, filmmakers, and the public to address and rectify this situation, ensuring children’s rights are upheld alongside industry advancements.
The 55th Kerala State Film Awards’ winners were revealed on November 3, 2025, with a jury led by Prakash Raj making the selections. At the press conference, Raj explained the rationale behind not awarding children, stating, “This year, we did not give awards for Best Children’s Film or Best Child Artist because we didn’t find any film or attempt that truly represented children. Directors and writers must realise that children are also part of society.”