Following the Eklavya controversy, the FFI has framed guidelines to ensure fair selection of movies for international awards
Following the Eklavya controversy, the FFI has framed guidelines to ensure fair selection of movies for international awards Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s movie Eklavya didn’t made it to the final nominations for the ‘Best Foreign Film’ at the Oscars, but the controversy surrounding its selection as India’s official entry may have a happy ending.
To prevent future incidents, the Film Federation of India (FFI), which selects entries to the Academy Awards, has framed draft guidelines to ensure a fair and transparent selection process in the future.
The draft guidelines, which stipulate that no person connected with the production or commercial exploitation of a competitive entry can be a member of selection jury, were submitted to the Bombay High Court on January 16.
Film director Bhavna Talwar, whose ‘socially-relevant’ film Dharma lost out to Eklavya in the Oscar race, had moved the HC alleging a bias in the selection process as one of the jury members, Ranjit Bahadur, was the editor of Making of Eklavya, a promotional snapshot of the film.
Bahadur had not disclosed that fact to the FFI. The new guidelines, which are being vetted by Talwar’s lawyers, make it mandatory for members of the selection committee to disclose interest in a film short-listed by way of executing a declaration of undertaking.
Once a film is short-listed, FFI’s secretary will review credits of the film. The selection committee is to ensure that no member of the committee is connected with the short-listed films or related to the producers. If it is found that a member of the committee is involved in the film as specified in the credits, he or she will be automatically disqualified.
However, it is unclear as to what happens if a member’s involvement in a film is disclosed after the final decision has been taken, as in the case of Eklavya’s selection.
The guidelines state that selection committee members have to maintain the highest level of integrity and secrecy and cannot discuss their views on the selection process with the media.
Talwar’s lawyers have been asked to submit their suggestions to the draft guidelines. The HC will hear the matter on February 13. The 80th Oscar Awards are scheduled to be held on February 24.
m_anshika@dnaindia.net 
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