No show, court stays National Film Awards

New Delhi: The most prestigious and prominent film awards in India have run into controversy after allegations of favouritism surfaced against the jury. The Delhi High Court put a stay on Wednesday on the declaration of the 53rd National Film Awards directing the government to look into the allegations by one of the juries of the award committee.

Justice Kailash Gambhir directed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry not to declare the awards without getting clearance from the court.

'It is serious as the dissent comes by a jury member,'” Justice Gambhir said in a court order.

Director Sanjay Leela Banshali's Black nominated for the best film and best director's award is a strong contender. However, since the film is an adaptation of a 1962 English classic The Miracle of Worker, questions are being raised for its nomination.

“A film which is an adaptation of a foreign film should not be considered since the awards are meant for only original work,'' said Kolkata-based National Award jury member Shyamali Banerjee in her petition.

Shyamli Banerjee Deb alleged “those who have close proximity with the DFF officials were up on the bid for the National Awards while a number of promising directors were left out because they did not manage to build up connection with the authorities.”

“I feel a bit relaxed today since there are some chances of a review of the selection,” she added.

Shyamli Banerjee Deb has challenged the decision of Directorate of Film Festival to give away the award of best Film to Black, best debut director to Parineeta, best actress to Parzania, best screen play to Apaharan and best special effect to Tamil film Anniyan.

''In reality the DFF officials with ulterior motives decided the awards in their chambers and constituted a jury for the name sake and they tried to influence the members of the jury according to their suggestions,'' said Shyamli’s counsel Deepak Prakash.

“There was no democratic discussion by the jury. The jury was totally hijacked by a group of officials who took the entire decision in the back yard and announced the awards,” he added.