On February 13, 2024, the Regulations of the 70th National Film Awards 2022 were notified with some major changes. The names of late legendary actress, Nargis and India's first female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, were removed from the major National Film Awards. The reason behind such a move is a mystery, as the committee has yet to issue an official statement about these changes. Not only this, the prize money which used to be split between the producer and director will now be given only to the filmmaker.
In the official notification by the committee, the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film was mentioned as Best Debut Film of a Director, while the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration got a new name as Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values. Most of the officials of the National Film Awards committee are silent about these changes despite receiving a lot of outrage on the internet.
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Amidst this controversy, the critically acclaimed filmmaker, Priyadarshan, who is a permanent member of the National Film Awards association talked about it in his recent interaction with Times Now. The director clearly stated that he had nothing to do with the changes announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Priyadarshan added that he is the technical adviser for the National Film Awards and just provides basic information on dubbing, camerawork and other technical aspects of movies. Not only this, he also admitted that he wasn't even aware of these changes until he read about them in the newspaper. He said:
"I have absolutely nothing to do with those changes. They are done by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. I am the technical adviser for the National Film Awards. I basically provide information on the cinematography, dubbing and other technical aspects on film that are submitted for the National Awards. As for the changes that you are talking about, I wasn't even aware of them until I read about them."
Further in the same interview, Priyadarshan recalled the time when he was serving as the chairman of the National Film Awards committee and termed it a 'thankless job'. The director admitted that every year, there is some controversy regarding the awards, and only the chairman is held answerable for the same. Priyadarshan admitted that he likes to make films instead of judging them. He said:
"It is a thankless job. Every year there is some controversy or the other about the awards and the chairperson is held answerable. Besides that, watching so many films that are sent for consideration, all at once, is a mindboggling task. I would rather make films than judge them."
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During the budget discussion in the state assembly on February 14, 2024, former minister, KT Jaleel took a dig at Priyadarshan as he criticised him for putting down Nargis and Indira Gadhi's names from the National Film Awards. Not only this, the CPM leader even alleged that the Malayali director played a role in this decision. He said:
"Indira Gandhi's name was left out of the National Film Award. Priyadarshan, the only Malayali on the award committee, had a role to play. Did Congress leaders react to this?"
What are your thoughts on the National Film Awards committee's decision? Let us know.
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