Vinayan-Ranjith's Kerala State Film Awards 2023 row: Another jury speaks out against the Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman

Several heated debates have been sparked over the Kerala State Awards 2023 controversy. We had reported earlier that director Vinayan had accused Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith of influencing the award's jury. After this, Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian spoke to the media, rooting for Ranjith and denying the allegations made by Vinayan.

The latest in this saga is that Vinayan has uploaded a voice note from singer Jensy Gregory, who was a jury member, on his Facebook page. The filmmaker shared the voice note to show that what Ranjith did was nothing but a misuse of power.

The Facebook post reads, "This is a voice note of jury member Jensy Gregory speaking to an online journalist. After hearing this, it will be clear that the Chalanachitra Academy chairman has violated the norms and influenced the jury. Another jury member, Nemom Pushparaj, has already admitted that Ranjith played a role in the award decision. As far as I know, Pushparaj told the minister's secretary about this. The minister should have inquired about this before supporting the chairman. Two jury members have come forward, alleging the involvement of the chairman in the award process. This act of Ranjith amounts to a serious misuse of power."

Vinayan had accused Ranjith of influencing the jury to deny awards to his film, Pathonpatham Noottandu. Vinayan said that Ranjith misused his power as chairman to meddle with the process. When speaking to the media, Minister Cherian gave the chairman a clean chit and even applauded Ranjith's contribution to the Kerala Film Academy.

Vinayan's Pathonpatham Noottandu won three Kerala State Awards: Best Composer, Best Dubbing Artist, and Best Female Playback Singer. The film is a periodic drama based on the life of a Travancore warrior, Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker.