In good news for film buffs, Telugu film C/o Kancharapalem, which had been rejected from getting nominated for the National Awards because it was produced by Praveena Paruchuri, a US citizen of Indian origin, has been allowed to apply for the awards.
After an appeal by Praveena, TRS working president KT Rama Rao had also appealed to the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley and Minister of State Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Saturday to reconsider their decision.
“I appeal to Union I&B Minister Sri @arunjaitley Ji and MoS @Ra_THORe Ji to kindly review the below appeal. National awards are a matter of pride for all filmmakers. An award cannot be denied for a #MadeInIndia product because of archaic rules that are redundant in today’s India (sic),” KTR had tweeted.
The hit film, which released last September, was well received by both critics and audience members alike.
Responding to KTR’s tweet, Rathore had said, “Dear @KTRTRS ji, my officer has spoken to @paruchurimd. These are NATIONAL FILM AWARDS & require producer or at least one co-producer to b Indian My off'r has guided @Paruchurimd on the possibility of her application fr same. She can also apply fr Int competition section IFFI 2019 (sic).”
Dear @KTRTRS ji, my off'r has spoken to @paruchurimd
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 12, 2019
These are NATIONAL FILM AWARDS & require producer or at least one co-producer to b Indian
My off'r has guided @Paruchurimd on the possibility of her application fr same
She can also apply fr Int competition section IFFI 2019 https://t.co/OQA8cK9hRD
In response to Rathore’s tweet, Praveena tweeted, “#CareofKancharapalem with @RanaDaggubati @SureshProdns has been allowed to apply to #nationalfilmawards. Thank you @Ra_THORe Sir and @KTRTRS Sir for your expedient response. I hope we will continue to have discussions about permanently amending this rule.. #LoveTeluguCinema (sic).”
#CareofKancharapalem with @RanaDaggubati @SureshProdns has been allowed to apply to #nationalfilmawards. Thank you @Ra_THORe Sir and @KTRTRS Sir for your expedient response. I hope we will continue to have discussions about permanently amending this rule.. #LoveTeluguCinema https://t.co/Ci1iPo27Eh
— paruchurimd (@paruchurimd) January 12, 2019
Directed by Venkatesh Maha, the film revolves around four stories of love and longing, set in a small town. Netizens were quick to shower support and express their disappointment over the film being ineligible for the honour. They also reminded Praveena on Twitter that the film had won the hearts of the people. Made on a shoestring budget and featuring over 70 debutant actors, C/o Kancharapalem emerged as one of the most loved Indian films last year.
Praveena Paruchuri is US citizen of Telugu origin. She is a cardiologist based in New York, and made her debut as producer and actor with C/o Kancharapalem.
Before its theatrical release in 2018, it had its world premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival.
IANS inputs