The recently held 65th National Awards ceremony hogged the headlines as about 68 award-winning artists boycotted the function in New Delhi after it was learned that most of them would not receive awards from the president as per the custom.
Legendary singer Dr K J Yesudas and filmmaker Jayaraj, who attended the function had ironically signed a petition by the artistes, stating that they wished to receive the award from the president himself or else they would boycott the event.
Meanwhile, back home in Kerala, the Malayalam film fraternity has expressed displeasure towards Yesudas and Jayaraj for their decision to attend the award ceremony.
Ace filmmaker Kamal, who is the chairman of the Chalachitra Academy, said that it was unfortunate that Yesudas and Jayaraj attended the function despite signing the petition. He added that they should have been role models to others even though it was their personal choice to attend the event.
However, Kamal hoped that the duo would understand the spirit shown by the younger generation in taking a stand against the president's decision.
National Award-winning editor Beena Paul said that the stand taken by Yesudas and Jayaraj towards the awards ceremony for their personal gain was saddening and disappointing.
The film fraternity also expressed concerns about the attitude of the central government which did not budge from their decision despite protests from the artistes.
However, certain other personalities from the Mollywood questioned the stance of those who boycotted the event.
Voicing his protest, actor-producer Joy Mathew wrote on Facebook, "Award committee is formed by the ruling government and hence it's the government who takes the decisions regarding National Awards. If people had objections to this they had the option of not sending their entries. I don't know if a person who sends his entry has been assured that the president will hand over the award. Is it the president who needs to give the awards every year? Or what if the President had health issues or issues that pertain to the country. What would you do then? I don't understand why these people are refusing to accept the award, despite knowing all this. I would like to ask the winners, why they readily take awards from 'pickle manufacturers and owners of undergarment stores’ and rather had a problem with accepting an award from a Union Minister. If they had refused to take the award citing a major issue in the country, then that would have reflected the need of a strong stand. This, in turn, seems like children crying for a toy when they don't get it.”
Slamming Joy Mathew, noted filmmaker Dr Biju said, “I don't know whether to laugh or to cry after reading a post by a veteran actor producer. In 2012, when I was in the award jury committee, this particular actor had rang me up asking why his film didn't get any award. And he started abusing me over phone for which I later filed a case and we are still fighting it out.”
'Will receive award even from panchayat member'
Meanwhile, actor and director Santhosh Pandit also joined the row saying he would have received the award if it was given to him even by a panchayat member.
Actor-director Balachandra Menon too shared his 'not-so-happy' experience at the National Awards ceremony. He wrote, “In 1997, I won the best actor for the film Samantharangal and the same award was shared by Suresh Gopi as well for the film Kaliyattom. That time, we both were in a dilemma as to who will receive the award first from the president. And on the big day, Suresh Gopi's name was first called and I was little sad over it. Even at those times, there were 'a few people' asking me to raise it as a concern and protest. But I realised the value of what I achieved. And that's why today when I see the protest, I thought of sharing this.”
However, Nikhil Praveen, who won the National Award for best cinematographer took to Facebook, a day after accepting the award from minister Smriti Irani, and apologized. “As a beginner, I was left with no other option than accepting the award', he wrote on Facebook. He shared a photo with his parents and captioned, “Accepting the award from my mother”.
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