Orissa High Court Stays State Film Awards After ‘Chhabirani’ Director Alleges ‘Favouritism’

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Monday put on hold the State Film Awards ceremony, a day before the event. The film awards were scheduled to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday (December 14-15).

The High Court has directed re-evaluation of all 27 categories and posted the next hearing on January 7.

A Bench of Justice Arindam Sinha issued the order while hearing a plea by Odia film director Bobby Islam, alleging ‘favouritism’ by the selection committee of the 31st State Film Awards. Islam is the director of Odia film Chhabirani.

Islam has contended that two films, which have been selected under several categories, were ineligible for entry under Rule 3(b) of the Orissa State Awards for Films Rules, 2010, as they were not original films. These two films were Khusi and Golmal Love, he said.

Islam further contended that his film, Chhabirani, based on the true story of the 1980 Chhabirani gangrape and murder, was not selected.

He alleged that the jury selected Khusi for best actor, best actress, best editor and best child artiste categories although it was a remake of the Korean film, Hope.

Golmal Love has been copied from Carry on Jatta, a Punjabi film, he said.

Islam along with an actor had attempted suicide in front of Naveen Niwas here on Saturday protesting the apathy of the jury.

Appearing for the state, the Additional Government Advocate submitted that as per rules, dubbed/revised/copied/remake versions of films were ineligible for entry.

“The ceremony scheduled to be held tomorrow will stand postponed. State, through its concerned functionary, will re-evaluate all entries for awards. On such re-evaluation, the result will be made known to the petitioner and all concerned. In event petitioner reports to this court that his grievance has been taken care of or there is required adjudication, the ceremony will be held post order of disposal of the writ petition,” the HC said.