Hema Malini – Returning national awards not right

Actress-politician Hema Malini is not in favour of filmmakers returning their National Awards in protest against instances of growing intolerance in the country.

Last month, 12 filmmakers announced that they would return their National Awards, also in the wake of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) stalemate.

“It (returning national awards) is not a right thing to do. I feel it is a politically instigated matter. People are dying to get a National Award… it’s a national reputation.

“People come to me saying if I can help them in getting national award. And here these people are returning awards,” the BJP MP told PTI.

FTII students had gone on an indefinite strike from June 12 following the appointment of television actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of its Governing Council.

They also expressed discontent alleging that Chauhan lacked the expertise and credentials to secure a place in the prestigious institute.

Filmmakers returning their National Awards include Dibakar Banerjee, Anand Patwardhan, Paresh Kamdar, and Nishtha Jain.

Celebrities like Anil Kapoor, Vidya Balan and Anupam Kher have also said not in favour of the move.

On whether FTII row can be resolved, Malini just offered, “We will talk later about it.”

Inputs by PTI