Thiruvananthapuram: A petition has been filed in High Court seeking cancellation of 2022 State Film Awards announcement. The petition was filed in the High Court by director Lijeesh Mullezhathu. In the petition, Lijeesh says that Ranjith, Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, interfered illegally in the decision of the award and that he has proof of this. The petitioner also alleges that Ranjith is not eligible to continue as the Chairman of the Film Academy.
The previously released voice message of jury member Nemam Pushparaj, claiming that Ranjith had influenced the state award decision, had caused a significant outcry. Another jury member, Jency Gregory, had also come up with a similar allegation. Director Vinayan subsequently released voice messages and call records, making public the conversations between him and the jurors. This disclosure by Vinayan was to prove that Ranjith had interfered in order to prevent his film ‘Pathonpathaam Noottandu’ from being honored with the award.
Vinayan had lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Minister regarding the issue. The Chief Minister initiated an inquiry against Ranjith on the basis of the complaint. A petition has now been brought before the High Court, directed against Ranjith by director Lijeesh Mullezhathu. However, when a media outlet sought Ranjith’s response regarding the situation, he conveyed that he is presently unavailable to provide comments on the matter.
