Child actor Deva Nandha has sparked conversation across social media after openly criticizing the Kerala State Film Awards jury for not selecting any winners in the children’s film or acting categories this year. The awards were decided by a committee led by actor Prakash Raj, who stated that none of the submissions met the required standards.
In a video shared on Deva’s Instagram, managed by her parents, moments from the press conference were intercut with scenes from her film Gu, where she starred alongside Saiju Kurup. In her post, Deva 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.”
She pointed out that several films in 2024 featured strong child performances, mentioning Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, Gu, Phoenix, and ARM. According to her, honouring even two child artists could have encouraged more meaningful children’s cinema.
Deva further expressed disappointment at the reasoning behind the jury’s decision. “It’s not by denying rights that reforms should be ushered in,” she wrote, calling the move disheartening for young performers who work with passion and dedication.
Her post has since gained widespread support, with filmmakers and actors echoing her frustration. Meanwhile, Prakash Raj maintains that children’s films must reflect real childhood perspectives and experiences to be considered for the award.