Annoyed and outraged beyond reason for a rather unfortunate goof-up in the nominations lists for the Screen awards, Anupam Kher has decided to stay away from the Screen Awards function next week.
Urmila and Anupam in MGKNM
This is an insult
"How could they nominate my director Jahnu Barua in the 'Best Debut' category? Barua has made many films in his native language (Assamese) and won innumerable national and international awards… Just because they think Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara is Jahnu's first feature film in Hindi, they've chosen to insult him, me and the film," said Anupam.
Not Jahnu's first
Continues Anupam, "First of all Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara isn't Barua's first Hindi film. In 1982 he made Apeksha, which was the Hindi version of his Assamese film Aparoopa.
It featured Suhasini Mulay in the lead. Besides that he has made 8-10 feature films before Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara. I thank God that Satyajit Ray's first Hindi film, Shatranj Ka Khiladi was made many years ago. He'd probably have been nominated for best debutant for Shatranj Ke Khiladi."
Won't reconsider
Anupam says he won't change his mind. "My decision is irreversible. It's an insult to the director and me. My Gandhian film got honoured in Pakistan. And this is how they honour the film and its maker in Mumbai?
So, no thanks. I'm not re-considering my decision to attend the awards. Sometimes your absence is the best way of making your presence felt."
Cricket
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