Thiruvananthapuram ∙ Controversial audio recording related to determination of state film awards has been released. This was included with the complaint filed by director Vinayan to the Chief Minister seeking an investigation. The words of Jury member Nemam Pushparaj are recorded in the voice recording saying that Film Academy Chairman Ranjith interfered in the decision of the award and felt self-loathing that this happened under the communist regime. The Chief Minister will decide whether to investigate Vinayan’s complaint. Another member of the jury, Jancy Gregory, had also openly said that Ranjith interfered in the decision of the award.
The allegation is that Ranjith told the jury members that the ’19th Century’ directed by Vinayan was rubbish and Ranjith tried to avoid the awards for this film.
Meanwhile, Minister Saji Cherian’s response is that the controversy is over. ‘No investigation has been announced against Ranjith. Left government in the state. I am the Minister of Culture. Chief Minister is Pinarayi Vijayan. No one can interfere in such a system according to their own interest. After that, it doesn’t matter if I sit in this chair’ – the minister said.
Nemam Pushparaj to Vinayan ‘Ranjith’s discussion during jury break’
Kochi – Nemam Pushparaj reveals to director Vinayan that Ranjith used to come to the discussion when the jury members of the film awards went for a break. When there was a proposal from the Academy Chairman to revise the awards given to the music director and the singer, the Jury Chairman Gautam Ghosh again called a meeting of the members. Jensi Gregory has taken the position that M. Jayachandran can be chosen as the best music director and Mridula Warrier as the singer. Pushparaj’s conversation gives an indication that Ranjith was displeased with this. Pushparaj says that after everything was decided and parted, Jency’s eyes filled with tears when they called a meeting again and decided to change the music award and then Gautam Ghosh announced that there would be no change in the award.
Ranjith told me not to trouble the jury by selecting trashy films like ’19th Century’ for the final round. When I was told that the costume and art of that film were excellent, Ranjith said that it was the art direction, not the set,’ says Pushparaj.
English Summary: Kerala Film award controversy; voice clip leaked
