Dibakar Banerjee photographed in Mumbai.
New Delhi:
Khosla Ka Ghosla producer Savita Raj Hiremath has criticised Dibakar Banerjee's decision to return the National Award for the film.
A group of 10 filmmakers, including Dibakar and Anand Patwardhan, announced today that they would return their national awards to protest against the "threat to diversity and freedom of speech."
Directed by Dibakar, Khosla Ka Ghosla won the National Award for Best Feature Film (Hindi) in 2006.
Savita said that Dibakar has no right to return the award as it is not his personal honour.(Also Read: Filmmakers Returning National Awards is 'Disrespectful,' Say Film Colleagues)
"I am very hurt that my film has got involved in this controversy. Dibakar has no right to return the award because this award is not his. It is given for the film that includes everyone - actors and the producer. How can he return the award? He should have spoken to me before making a decision," Savita told PTI.
The producer does not think that Dibakar's decision is politically motivated but feels that the director wanted to get some media attention for his recent production Titli, which released this Friday.
"I don't think his decision is motivated by politics. Dibakar is a good soul. But there are other ways to protest too. It is very clear that he is trying to get media space for his film which has just released. He is desperate," she said.
However, Dibakar said that Savita had a right to be upset.
"It's a hurtful and a disappointing decision for all of us. She's right to feel so. And my personal regrets to her for this. Yet somethings are bigger than a film," he said.
Apart from Khosla Ka Ghosla, Dibakar's second film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! also won a National Award in the same category.
Savita questioned the director's intention of choosing to return the National Award for her film and not Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye.
"Why didn't he return the National Award which he received for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!. He should have, but he did not because that was a Disney film. He would not take a chance with them. He might work with them in the future. Just because I am an independent producer does not mean he can take me for a ride. I will talk to him at length. A closer meeting with him is required. I am making Khosla Ka Ghosla 2. He is spoiling the brand I am trying to build," she added.
A group of 10 filmmakers, including Dibakar and Anand Patwardhan, announced today that they would return their national awards to protest against the "threat to diversity and freedom of speech."
Directed by Dibakar, Khosla Ka Ghosla won the National Award for Best Feature Film (Hindi) in 2006.
Savita said that Dibakar has no right to return the award as it is not his personal honour.(Also Read: Filmmakers Returning National Awards is 'Disrespectful,' Say Film Colleagues)
"I am very hurt that my film has got involved in this controversy. Dibakar has no right to return the award because this award is not his. It is given for the film that includes everyone - actors and the producer. How can he return the award? He should have spoken to me before making a decision," Savita told PTI.
The producer does not think that Dibakar's decision is politically motivated but feels that the director wanted to get some media attention for his recent production Titli, which released this Friday.
"I don't think his decision is motivated by politics. Dibakar is a good soul. But there are other ways to protest too. It is very clear that he is trying to get media space for his film which has just released. He is desperate," she said.
However, Dibakar said that Savita had a right to be upset.
"It's a hurtful and a disappointing decision for all of us. She's right to feel so. And my personal regrets to her for this. Yet somethings are bigger than a film," he said.
Apart from Khosla Ka Ghosla, Dibakar's second film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! also won a National Award in the same category.
Savita questioned the director's intention of choosing to return the National Award for her film and not Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye.
"Why didn't he return the National Award which he received for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!. He should have, but he did not because that was a Disney film. He would not take a chance with them. He might work with them in the future. Just because I am an independent producer does not mean he can take me for a ride. I will talk to him at length. A closer meeting with him is required. I am making Khosla Ka Ghosla 2. He is spoiling the brand I am trying to build," she added.
