Kerala State Film Awards Dispute: Chalachitra Academy and Ranjith Take Precautionary Step in Supreme Court

Ranjith and the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy have taken pre-emptive action by lodging a caveat in the Supreme Court in response to a petition aimed at overturning the announcement of the Kerala State Film Awards for 2022. Their caveat seeks to ensure that the court does not issue any temporary orders without first hearing their perspective.

The original petition was initiated by Lijeesh Mullezhath, the director of ‘Aakaashathinu Thazhe’, after the Kerala High Court dismissed his claim due to insufficient evidence and arguments to substantiate allegations of favoritism and prejudice by the film director. This latest move precedes the scheduled hearing of Lijeesh’s plea in the Supreme Court, which is set to take place on Monday before a bench headed by Justices MM Sundresh and JB Pardiwala. The caveat was formally lodged by advocate MK Aswathi.

As per the petitioner’s claims, Ranjith allegedly interfered unlawfully in the decisions made by the film award jury and misused his authority to manipulate jury members’ choices. The petitioner asserts that they were denied an award for their film due to biased and nepotistic actions on the part of the jury.

Lijeesh’s legal action was prompted by allegations that Ranjith exerted pressure on the jury to exclude Vinayan’s film ‘Pathonpatham Noottandu’ from consideration for the awards.