THRISSUR: Film director K Jayaraj, who has won the national award for the best nonfeature film director award for 2007 for his film 'Vellapokkathil’, said that the reported claim by Doordarshan was strange.
The Doordarshan had reportedly claimed that the award for the best non-feature film director should go to it as the telefilm was funded by Doordarshan.
Talking to reporters at a news conference here on Saturday, Jayaraj said "the Doordarshan has no right at all to claim the award for the telefilm". He said that he had asked the permission of Doordarshan before sending the film to Indian Panorama. The Doordarshan had stated that he could send the film to Indian Parorama.
Taking a queue, he did not seek permission before sending the film for consideration of the 55th National Film Awards for 2007.
"There is no mention in the agreement between me and the Doordarshan that the film could not be sent for awards and Doordarshan has only the exclusive telecasting right of the film", he said.
C P Rajashekaran, who was the Deputy Director of Doordarshan while funding the telefilm, was with Jayaraj at the news conference and agreed with the contention of Jayaraj. Jayaraj said that he did not want to kick up a row on the issue and the intention was to clarify his position before the press.