National Film Award rejects C/o Kancharapalem: Venkatesh Maha furious with outdated rules

The committee of the Indian National Film Awards has rejected C/o Kancharapalem, stating that it was produced by a US citizen. Venkatesh Maha expressed his displeasure over the outdated rules and regulations of the country.

C/o Kancharapalem is an unconventional love story that deals with social issues like caste, religion and political comments of our times. The film has been written and directed by Maha Venkatesh and co-produced by Praveena Paruchuri and Venkat Siddareddy. After seeing the amazing subject of the film, Rana Daggubati distributed it and made it one of the big hit films of 2018 at the box office.

Indians form most of cast and crew of C/o Kancharapalem, but the committee of National Film Awards did not consider it for any of the awards, saying that it is produced by a US citizen. Praveena Paruchuri took to Twitter to express her disappointment at this decision. Meanwhile, she offered an apology to director Venkatesh Maha over this issue.

Praveena Paruchuri tweeted on January 9, "SO SORRY @venkateshmaha25 #CareOfKancharapalem, your hard work and talent is NOT ELIGIBLE to be recognized at the #indiannationalfilmawards because it was Produced by me- a US citizen although of Indian origin ...I failed you "

In reply, furious Venkatesh Maha blasted the country for its age-old rules. The director tweeted, "It's not you @paruchurimd, it's the outdated rules and regulations of our country. I don't understand why an Indian film, made by an Indian director, in India, acted by Indians and for Indian audience is not eligible for Indian National Awards. @DFF_India time for change."

Responding to them, some filmgoers empathized with Praveena Paruchuri and Venkatesh Maha. They said the movie has won the hearts of viewers getting critical acclaim and commercial success. These are the best awards for them and National Film Awards do not matter for them.

Kranthi Kumar Pogaku‏ @imKranthiKumar

It's so disappointing to hear this ! @venkateshmaha25 @paruchurimd #CareOfKancharapalem deserves much more support and love from every audience. I believe it's time for @DFF_India to amend the rules and break the barriers for our own talent on an international stage.

Akki‏ @akkiakki973798

This sounds absurd. Not eligible because it is produced by US citizen although everyone starring in it are Indians? Didn't some actor with a foreign citizenship get national award? #CareOfKancharapalem #indiannationalfilmawards

JŒ‏ @jyothitadiboyan

It is not always about awards and collections we understand that it does really matter to the crew behind it but It is always about the love people show towards the movie And #CareOfKancharapalem already received much love ! And we loved it

C/o Kancharapalem was premiered at Caleidoscope Film Festival in Boston. Praveena Paruchuri had tweeted, "I'm so proud to announce that #careofkancharapalem will be showing at the Caleidoscope Film Festival on Dec 9th in Boston. @venkateshmaha25 and @paruchurimd will be there. Hope you guys will come and show your support so more of our films can make it to the international arena!"