Ever since the 53rd Kerala State Film Awards were announced on 21 July, there has been much hue and cry on social media over the jury’s choice of winners.
The latest to criticise the jury is director Vinayan. He accused director Ranjith, of denying awards for Pathonpatham Noottandu (2022) — directed by Vinayan.
“I wouldn’t claim that my film Pathonpatham Noottandu is a superb movie, but does it give the Chairman the right to influence the jury members to avoid the films he dislikes?” he writes.
According to Vinayan, he came to know that Ranjith allegedly told jury members that Pathonpatham Noottandu was a good-for-nothing film during the award selection time.
Vinayan also wondered why Cultural Minister Saji Cheriyan remained silent when the jury member informed his private secretary about Ranjith’s intervention.