HC postpones Odisha film award programme amid row

  • | Monday | 13th December, 2021

Cuttack, Dec 13 (PTI) The Orissa High Court on Monday postponed the state film award ceremony scheduled to be held on December 14 and directed re-evaluation of all entries selected for the programme.The order came on a writ petition by director Bobby Islam who contended that his film was not on the final list of the 31st Odisha State Film Awards, despite being an original movie.The petitioner alleged that two other films have been selected on several categories though they were ineligible for entry under the Orissa State Awards for Films Rules as they were not original.During the hearing, Additional Government Advocate P C Panda informed the bench of Justice Arindam Sinha that applicants for the two films, ‘Khusi’ and ‘Golmal Love’, had “clearly mentioned” in the entry forms that those were not dubbed versions, adaptations or remakes of other films.Panda contended that "Chhabirani", the petitioner"s film, "contained immoral sexually explicit acts and had the potential of creating a furore, if granted the award”.It could have spoilt the social harmony of the society, he claimed.Besides, the second half of "Chhabirani" was a “blatant copy” of a Bollywood movie, the government counsel submitted.The kind of violence, rape and murder shown in the movie is in no way part of Odia tradition and culture that the petitioner claimed his film has depicted, he submitted.Justice Sinha in his order said the ceremony, scheduled to be held on Tuesday, would stand postponed.The bench directed that the state, through its functionary, would re-evaluate all entries for awards, and the result would be made known to the petitioner and all stakeholders.The ceremony will be held post disposal of the writ petition, Sinha said.The matter would again be heard on January 7. PTI HMB NN NN


If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Latest Cuttack headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles