C/O Kancharapalem, the Telugu movie that was not allowed to contest the National Awards because of being produced by a non-Indian, has now been allowed to apply for the awards. The producer of the movie, Praveena Paruchrui, an Indian origin US citizen announced the news.
#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
Made on a shoestring budget, C/O Kancharapalem, directed by Venkatesh Maha, premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival, says a Business Standard report. Later the movie went on to be screened at the Caleidoscope Film Festival in Boston. It was then picked up for distribution by Rana Daggubati.
But as per NFA guidelines, only movies that are produced by Indian citizens are eligible for consideration for the awards. The makers had expressed their displeasure at the move. Shortly, Paruchuri had appealed to TRS working president KT Rama Rao who then requested the I&B Ministry 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 https://t.co/tzrTOgJbjK
— KTR (@KTRTRS) January 12, 2019
Following this, Rajyavardhan Singh said that the ruled mandated that at least a co-producer be an Indian. Nevertheless, the film has now become eligible for the awards.
Dear @KTRTRS ji, my off'r has spoken to @paruchurimd
These are NATIONAL FILM AWARDS & require producer or at least one co-producer to b Indian
A D V E R T I S E M E N TMy 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
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 12, 2019
Speaking to ToI, Paruchuri expressed her gratitude saying “I’m delighted with the expedient response of KTR sir and Rathore sir. We need more proactive politicians like them to do justice to the talent of creators. This isn’t a victory for my film alone, but for all Indian-origin producers who wish to give something back to their country. I hope we will continue to have discussions about permanently amending this archaic rule.”
“The film may or may not stand a chance to win a National Award, but our fight was for an opportunity to compete. The beauty of C/O Kancharapalem lies in its universality, it’s a heartwarming tale of humanity and love and mirrors the secular ethos of India. Though set in a suburb of Visakhapatnam, it’s a story that has struck a chord not just with Telugus but at international film festivals as well. With its nomination into the National Awards, we can take the story to many more people. This isn’t merely about an award or two, it’s a Telugu film that we can proudly show people,” adds Praveena.
Image Courtesy: India Today
