Jury
Chairman
Denies
Allegations
Of
External
Influence
In
Kerala
State
Film
Awards:
Goutam
Ghose,
the
Jury
Chairman
for
the
Kerala
State
Film
Awards
2023,
has
dismissed
allegations
that
Kerala
Chalachitra
Academy
Chairman
Ranjith
played
a
role
in
determining
the
State
Film
Awards
recipients.
During
an
interview
with
Asianet
News,
Goutam
Ghose
emphasised
that
external
influences
had
no
bearing
on
the
award
decisions,
which
were
entirely
the
prerogative
of
the
jury.
He
also
clarified
that
he
was
unaware
of
the
circumstances
surrounding
the
audio
clips
released
by
director
Vinayan.
Goutam
Ghose
further
informed
Asianet
News
that
while
numerous
opinions
were
voiced
at
different
stages
of
the
award
selection
process,
the
final
verdict
was
unanimously
reached
by
the
jury.
Earlier,
director
Vinayan
had
made
public
an
audio
clip
featuring
Nemom
Pushparaj,
a
member
of
the
final
jury
and
the
chairman
of
the
preliminary
jury
responsible
for
choosing
the
Kerala
state
film
award
winners.
In
the
clip,
Nemom
Pushparaj
claimed
that
external
pressures
led
the
jury
to
oppose
granting
an
award
to
the
movie
'Pathonpatham
Noottandu,'
directed
by
Vinayan.
The
audio
also
criticised
Ranjith's
suitability
as
Chairman
of
the
Kerala
Chalachitra
Academy.
Controversy
Deepens
With
Culture
Minister's
Defense
And
AIYF's
Concerns
Following
the
ensuing
controversy,
Culture
Minister
Saji
Cherian
came
forward
to
defend
Ranjith,
asserting
that
the
Academy's
Chairman
had
no
role
in
award
determinations
and
could
not
intervene.
Simultaneously,
the
AIYF
(All
India
Youth
Federation)
voiced
serious
concerns
about
the
allegations
against
Ranjith,
branding
his
approach
as
feudalistic.
The
AIYF
criticised
his
conduct
and
urged
the
government
to
initiate
an
investigation,
recommending
his
removal
from
his
position
if
found
guilty.
Adding
to
the
fray,
director
Vinayan
released
another
voice
recording,
this
time
featuring
jury
member
and
playback
singer
Jency
Gregory.
In
the
audio,
Jency
Gregory
alleged
that
Ranjith
had
interfered
in
the
selection
of
the
Best
Music
Award
recipient.