‘Understandings’ involved, says Jury member
In revelations that could possibly raise eyebrows over the judging process in the National Film Awards, Malayalam filmmaker Harikumar, who was a member of the jury, has said that the judging panel had reached many 'understandings'.
One of the most striking is that the director of the best film should not be chosen as the best director. “This is why Shaji N Karun, whose film ‘Kutty Srank’ was chosen as the best film, did not get the Best Director Award,” Harikumar said in an interview to a Malayalam television channel. While he admitted that he “shouldn’t be divulging such things,” Harikumar, a three-time jury member, said he himself had to plump for Rituparno Ghosh to honour this understanding.
Harikumar set off yet another controversy when he said at a news conference here on Friday that he was responsible for “Keshu” being chosen as the Best Children’s film. He said neither “Keshu” nor the Kannada film “Putaani Party” were seen as good enough to get the award. However, it was pointed out that since the films were produced by Children’s Film Society, the effort had to be encouraged. “It was then decided to give the award to the Kannada film. It was my intervention which secured the award for “Keshu”, too,” he said.
“Keshu’s” director Sivan, however, rubbished the claim and wondered how in that case his film would have got an award at the state film awards and was also chosen for the Indian panorama at IFFK. Sivan, the father of filmmakers Santosh, Sangeeth and Sanjeev Sivan, said he didn’t need recommendation for recognition. A related controversy connected with the same award is the fact that Sanjeev Sivan was a member of the regional jury which chose “Keshu”. “Though the rules do not prohibit a blood relation to be in the jury, even ethically I don’t think it is proper,’’ said Harikumar.
The movie has been in the news since its release last year because Harikumar claims it to be a remake of his 2001 film “Pularvattom”.
DH News Service
