National award winning children's film set for legal tangle

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 16 (IANS) Malayalam films might have won laurels at the 57th National Film Awards, but the award given to children's film 'Kesu' directed by Sivan is headed for legal trouble as Sivan's son was member of the regional jury.

Minutes after the award was announced, ace director Renjith lashed out at the selection made by the regional jury in which Sivan's son Sanjeev Sivan was a member.

'This (Kesu) film's director is Sivan and his son and film maker Sanjeev Sivan was in the regional committee of the jury that selected the winners. How can a son be a jury in choosing a father's film?' said Renjith.

But Sanjeev Sivan denied these allegations and told IANS that the rules are very clear and blood relations can be part of the jury.

'The rules are very clear and there has been no violation. In case there is a voting, the blood relation's votes are not cast,' said Sanjeev Sivan.

Majid Gulistan, whose entry 'Chithrakuzhal' failed to fetch any awards, reacted angrily saying that the film was selected violating all rules of the entry.

'The rules are very clear that any film which is a remake should not be considered. 'Kesu' was nothing but a remake of 'Pularvattom'. We have got a raw deal from Delhi. We have no other option but to go legal,' said Gulistan.

Incidentally, Hari Kumar who directed 'Pularvattom' was a member of the national jury this time. When asked about this, he said: 'Yes, 'Kesu' is almost the same as my film.'