The buzz around the National Awards this year just keeps getting louder. Especially after “The Kerala Story” was announced as a winner, it really stirred things up. Many folks within the film industry aren’t exactly thrilled about this choice. Now, director Shoojit Sircar has joined the discussion. He’s offering his take on this hot topic.
Shoojit Sircar himself has been in the spotlight lately. He’s currently serving as a jury member at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. His job there? To pick the best short films. He’s busy, but still shared his thoughts. He spoke about “The Kerala Story” and its recent big win. He’s even got some pointed advice for everyone caught up in the debate.
A Jury Role Thanks to Friends
So, how did Shoojit end up on the jury in the first place? He told Hindustan Times that the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is super important to him. The people who run it are close pals. He’s actually been to this festival about six times! While he usually skips jury duties, this year felt different. He made an exception for his friends, which really shows his connection to the event.
Shoojit’s Take on ‘The Kerala Story’ Award
Now, for the big question: What did Shoojit have to say about “The Kerala Story” getting a National Award? And what about the mention of Shah Rukh Khan, also part of the question? He made it clear that debating these decisions from the outside isn’t very useful. He believes we should simply trust the jury’s judgment. While we might not agree with everything, what truly matters is who makes up that jury. Their decision, he argues, is final. You can’t really question the specific award they hand out once it’s done. Shoojit suggests we should instead focus our questions before the awards process even begins. That’s when we should ask, “Who’s on this jury?” and “How truly sensitive are they?” It’s a pragmatic viewpoint, cutting through the noise.
What’s Next for Shoojit Sircar?
Beyond the awards chatter, Shoojit Sircar keeps busy with his own projects. Last year, he directed “I Want To Talk,” which starred Abhishek Bachchan. It was released on an online streaming platform. He’s also currently working on a film titled “Jaadugar.” He’s clearly got his hands full. But he still shares thoughts on big industry debates.