Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought an explanation from the state government over the petition moved against the Kerala State Film Awards 2022. The court action comes in connection with the petition filed by Lijeesh Mullezhath, director of ‘Aakaashathinu Thazhe’, amid the controversy over filmmaker Vinayan’s allegations.

However, the court rejected the petitioner’s demand to revoke the awards and stated that a decision in this regard will be taken after receiving the state government’s reply on the matter. Further, Justice Basant Balaji, while considering the plea, also instructed that the director of the state’s cultural department be made a party in the petition. 

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

However, Vinayan stated that he will not move the court demanding to cancel the awards as the winners are artists too. Whereas, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the Department of Cultural Affairs to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Amid this, Lijeesh Mullezhath moved the high court against the awards. 

The petition will be heard again next Friday considering the petitioner's demand in this regard. The film awards are scheduled to be presented on August 17.