The High Court on Monday directed the state government to constitute a fresh committee and submit a list of members within four weeks on a petition filed by Basant Kumar Patil, former president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and others.
The Additional Advocate General submitted that the state film award selection advisory committee for the year 2010-11 viewed a total of 52 films and submitted its report on April 5, 2012, recommending 30 awards by giving a prize value of Rs 1 lakh and 50 gram gold. “We have not given awards as the case was pending before the court.”
He stated: “We agree that there are some violations while selecting the awards by the advisory committee, the government has decided to withdraw its order and will form a new committee for the purpose of selecting award films for 2010-11.”
Justice Ram Mohan Reddy issued the directions after the state government submitted that it will re-do the list of the state film awards announced for 2010-11.
Meanwhile, Justice Reddy said, “I saw the posters of ‘Super’ (Upendra in a leading role) where the hero is with a torn jeans and a rustic hairstyle. What type of message they are giving through these movies?”
Petitioners Patil and Kannada actor Priya Hassan had questioned the selection process as two members of the advisory committee were associated with two films that were selected for the awards. The awards were announced on April 9, 2011, but not presented following a stay by the High Court.
