Director moves Kerala HC against Kerala State Film Awards 2022

Kochi: Amid the ongoing row over filmmaker Vinayan’s allegations against Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith, a petition has been filed in the high court against the Kerala State Film Awards 2022. The petitioner is Lijeesh Mullezhath, director of ‘Aakaashathinu Thazhe’. Ranjith and director Nemam Pushparaj have been made counter-witnesses in the petition. 

This year, the Kerala State Film Awards have been going through a set of controversies which stemmed after Vinayan alleged that Ranjith had misused his position as academy chairman to pressurise the jury against considering his film ‘Pathonpatham Noottandu’ for the awards.

He had also released audio clips of jury members Nemom Pushparaj and Jensy Gregory, who were heard talking about Ranjith over the awards, as proof of his claims.

In the wake of Vinayan’s complaint, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also directed the Department of Cultural Affairs to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Meanwhile, Ranjith has refused to comment on the row so far.