National Film Awards are compromised, do not deserve Mammootty: Prakash Raj
New Delhi: Actor Prakash Raj has raised concerns over the National Film Awards, suggesting that they do not “deserve” veteran actor Mammootty. Raj, who chaired the jury for the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, made these comments during a press conference following the announcement of the state awards on Monday evening.
The awards saw Manjummel Boys and Bramayugam win multiple honours. Raj was asked about his experience as the jury chairman for the Kerala State Film Awards and his thoughts on Mammootty’s chances at the National Film Awards. He said, “I don't mind saying that National Film Awards are compromised. I am so happy to be a jury chairman of Kerala because when they called me, they said we need an outsider who is experienced, and we will not poke our hands into it, and we will let you take the decision."
In contrast, he suggested that this was not the case with the National Film Awards, where he believed the process was compromised. “That is not happening in the National Awards, and we see it. When files and piles are getting awards! When such sort of a jury and such sort of a national government… they don't deserve Mammukka,” he remarked.
Mammootty has previously won the National Award for Best Actor three times, for his performances in Mathilukal, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Ponthan Mada, Vidheyan, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
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Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, Goa Police said on Monday.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji, on late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured people were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After registering an FIR against them, a Look Out Circular was issued against them by December 7 by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police.
The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted, and it was found that both the accused had taken the 6E 1073 flight to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, immediately after the fire incident, which occurred around midnight, the officer said.
READ ALSO: Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
He said the Goa Police had immediately dispatched a team to Delhi to conduct raids on the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
"Since they were not available, a notice under the appropriate sections of law was pasted on the gate of their house. This shows their intent to avoid the police investigation", he said.
Goa Police have obtained transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the club, and are bringing him to Goa.
He also said that the postmortem on all 25 deceased has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
