The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered issue of notice to the State government on a petition filed by a producer-cum-director questioning fresh selections made for the State Film Awards 2010–11.
Justice Jawad Rahim passed the order on a petition filed by Renukumar of Renu Digital Studios, whose film Shabdamani was selected for the Third Best Film award.
ReconstitutedIt has been pointed out in the petition that the government in August 2013 reconstituted the Film Awards Advisory Committee based on a litigation in the High Court over selection of Super as the Best Film for the reason that one member of the film’s production was part of the earlier committee, headed by actor Bharati Vishnuvardhan.
Mr. Renukumar, however, pointed out that the government “arbitrarily” and “unilaterally” reconstituted the entire committee and also cancelled selection of films and persons for the awards without informing those who were selected by the previous committee.
Claiming that there was no direction from the High Court to reconstitute the entire committee or cancel all selections made for the awards, the petitioner said the government, according to the rules, should have removed only those members who had conflict of interests. The petitioner’s film was not chosen for the award by the reconstituted committee, headed by director-producer S.K. Bhagwan.
Stay soughtThe court will hear the petition on Thursday as the petitioner has sought a stay on the presentation of awards in a ceremony scheduled to be held on Sunday in Dharwad.
