THIRUVANATAHPURAM: Stoking the fire of an already brewing national award controversy, national award jury member Harikumar has bluntly remarked that the best children's film award for 'Keshu' was nothing but his benevolence for its director Sivan. He was responding to Sivan's remarks that a jury member from Kerala had vainly tried to prevent 'Keshu' from winning the award.
''The two films, 'Keshu' and a Kannada film, that were considered in the final round for the best children's film award were below par. Under such instances, the jury usually leaves the section unawarded. However, since both the films were produced by Children's Film Society, we decided to award the better among the two. While the majority vouched for the Kannada film, it was me who suggested that the awards be shared. I was well aware that the award was being given to the most undeserving film. In a way Keshu would never have won the award had I not been a jury member,'' he said at a news conference held at the Kesari Memorial Journalists' Trust here on Friday.
Harikumar also reiterated that 'Keshu' was a blind imitation of his film 'Pularvettom', released in 2001.
''I made 'Pularvettom' based on a story 'Minnaminungu', written by N Mohanan. My film had already been screened in several film festivals. When I saw Keshu for the national awards, I was really shocked to note that it had striking resemblance with my film''.Going a step further, he also challenged that he would quit as a film director if anybody could prove that there was nothing similar between 'Keshu' and 'Pularvettom'.
Rebuking Sivan's remark that Malayalam film would have won more awards, had there been some wise heads in the jury he said that he was not in the jury to shower awards on Malayalam film industry.
''The 11member jury comprised the best in our industry such as Ramesh Sippy, Bhanu Athaiyya and Mythily Rao. We judged films not on the basis of language, but on merit. Nobody in the jury was prone to any sort of external influence. All decisions were just and fair,'' he said.
Harikumar said that he was the only one who insisted that Mammooty be given the best actor award.
