Girish Karnad rejects top film award

The controversy surrounding the state film awards worsened on Saturday with Jnanapeet award winner and theatre personality Girish Karnad (right) rejecting the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal state award. This has caused a great embarrassment to the state government on behalf of which the jury committee headed by film director Bhargava announced the awards on Friday.

The jury committee initially selected veteran director KSR Doss for the award. Later, on finding that the selection had invited criticism from the media, the jury changed its decision and chose Karnad instead. But on Saturday, Karnad declined to receive the award, but he didn’t cite any reason for it.

In an e-mail addressed to the information department, Girish Karnad said: “I thank the director, Kannada and culture, for awarding the Puttanna Kanagal Award to me. And I regret my inability to accept the honour.” The Information department officials confirmed that Karnad had rejected the award.

Director Bhargava said: “I don’t know about this. We have awarded the Puttanna Kanagal award to Girish Karnad. He can accept or reject the award, it is up to him. But on Monday, I will discuss the issue with the committee members and information department officials and see what can be done.”

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) president Basanth Kumar Patil and several personalities have expressed dissatisfaction over the change of names for the award.

Meanwhile, KSR Doss expressed his anguish over the whole debacle. He said he had not “asked or begged” the government for the award. “My contribution to the film industry has been recognised by the people of Karnataka. Announcing my name and then later withdrawing it, caused lot of embarrassment and humiliation. It’s an insult to me. I will never accept this award,” he said.