Sibi Malayil: Director Sibi Malayil revealed that it is a big event for Malayalam filmmakers to win national awards competing with North Indians. Cibi Malail talks about his experience when he was on the National Awards jury. Cibi Malail says that instead of giving the award to Mohanlal, it was decided to give it to Shah Rukh Khan. “The chairman had said that instead of Mohanlal, Shah Rukh Khan was given the award for the best actor, but the award ceremony will be held. “It is a big event for Malayalam filmmakers to compete with North Indians and win awards,” says CB Malail. CB was speaking at Malail at a program called ‘PT Kalaum Kalamum’ organized by friends in view of the contributions of director PT Kunju Muhammad.
The award was to be given to Sujata Cibi Malail also talks about what he gave to Shreya Ghoshal. He and cinematographer Sunny Joseph, who was on the jury, wanted and strongly argued for the film ‘Paradesi’ to get awards for director, make-up, lyricist and singer. The committee decided the award for best female singer for Sujatha. However, the festival director, who is a North Indian, came and asked who got the award for the female singer. When he came to know about Sujata, he asked if he had heard Shreya Ghoshal’s song from ‘Jab V Meti’. CB Malail revealed that he took the initiative and corrected the award by listening to the song.