Cuttack

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

By
OB Bureau

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.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024

KISS-DU Convocation Honours 3 Eminent Personalities; 8 PhD Degrees Awarded

Bhubaneswar: Three eminent personalities were conferred honorary D.Litt degrees for their outstanding academic excellence and…

November 24, 2024

INS Kuthar Visits Odisha’s Gopalpur Port To Promote Awareness On Coastal Security

Berhampur: Indian Navy ship INS Kuthar docked in Gopalpur port in Odisha's Ganjam district with…

November 24, 2024