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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Udupi: Udupi City Police have registered a case of online fraud after a 62-year-old hotel chef was allegedly cheated of Rs 1.13 lakh by a woman who befriended him on WhatsApp, claiming to be based in London.
The victim, identified as Pandu Kariappa Poojary, a resident of Kuthpadi in Udupi, was working at a hotel in Mangaluru.

He reportedly came into contact with a woman identifying herself as Emilda William on WhatsApp. During their interactions, she told Poojary that she planned to start a cosmetics and hotel business in India and would meet him during a visit to Mangaluru.
On April 7, Emilda sent Poojary a flight ticket from London to Delhi via WhatsApp. The following day, Poojary received a phone call from a woman who informed him that Emilda had arrived at Delhi airport carrying a demand draft worth Rs 5 crore along with other items. The caller allegedly asked him to pay Rs 70,000.
Subsequently, Poojary also received a call from Emilda, who was reportedly crying and spoke about the situation. Believing the claims, he transferred a total of Rs 1,13,300 in phases using a scanner. He later realised that he had been cheated.