The ministry will challenge the Bombay High Court verdict requiring the consideration of uncensored films for the awards.
NEW DELHI: After much deliberation, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has finally decided to move the Supreme Court to challenge the recent judgment of the Bombay High Court over the National Film Awards issue, it is learnt. According to a source in the government, the I&B ministry firmed up its view on moving the apex court, following consultations with the law ministry. “The papers are being drafted for the case,” the source added.
Even as the jury headed by actress B Saroja Devi and television personality Siddharth Kak (for feature films and non-feature films, respectively) finalised the names of the 53rd National Film Awards winners more than a month ago, there has been no announcement so far. Reason: The Directorate of Film Festivals of India (DFF) did not consider uncensored films for the competition, thus violating a Bombay High Court judgment. The court had directed the DFF to consider uncensored films for the awards.
Although the Bombay High Court had ruled that uncensored digital documentary films could be included in the competition, the National Film Awards rules do not permit any film for entry if it doesn’t have a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The Bombay High Court had acted on a petition by film makers Anand Patwardhan, Simantini Dhuruv and Gaurav Jani. As DFF had not considered uncensored films, the decision on awards has been kept in abeyance.
Although there hasn’t been any announcement on the awards, media reports indicated that Amitabh Bachchan has been adjudged the best actor for Black, and Sarika as the best actress for Parzania. Black, it is learnt, has been adjudged as the best Hindi film.
But, an I&B official said, “We have got the names in a sealed cover, and don’t know what’s inside”. The official added, “Who knows, the final result of the National Film Awards may be totally different”.
A total of 125 feature films and 160 non-feature films were in contention for this year’s national awards.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}