Was Asked To Select Shah Rukh Khan Instead Of Mohanlal For National Award: Sibi Malayil

Renowned South director Sibi Malayil recently revealed that Mohanlal-starrer Paradesi was allegedly excluded from the 2009 National Film Awards. He also revealed that he was asked to give the Best Actor Award to Shah Rukh Khan, instead of Mohanlal. Paradesi movie was written and directed by PT Kunju Muhammed. Sibi Malayil made this revelation while inaugurating a cultural fest titled PT- Kalayum Kaalavum. The event was a tribute to PTK Muhammed at the Sahitya Akademi. Sibi Malayil further said that he advocated Paradesi for the Best Actor, Best Director, Best Lyrics and Best Singer awards for this film. The jury only awarded the film with a National Award in the category of Best Make-up.

While talking at the event, Sibi Malayil said that the chairman asked him why not Shah Rukh Khan be given the Best Actor award, instead of Mohanlal. It would have made the award ceremony a grand affair, the chairman apparently told Sibi. Shah Rukh Khan didn’t win the National Award that year. Sibi Malayil said that Mohanlal deserved the prestigious award for acting in the movie Paradesi. Singer Sujatha was also nominated in the category of Best Singer award at the event for the song Thattam Pidichu. She was pushed aside at the last moment, as per director Sibi Malayil. “Cinematographer Sunny Joseph and I were the Malayalees on the jury. We wanted Paradesi to get an award at least for director, costume, lyricist and singer, and strongly advocated for it,” said Sibi Malayil.

Sibi further said that Sujatha’s award for the best singer was decided by the committee and was recorded as well. Before the commencement of the show, the festival director, hailing from North India who came for lunch, casually inquired about the winner of the Best Singer award. “When he learned it was for Sujatha, he asked if they had not heard Shreya Ghoshal’s song from Jab We Met. He took the initiative and brought a video cassette, displayed it, and altered the award,” said Sibi Malayil. He further said that these events took place a long time ago and, hence can be disclosed now. Sibi congratulated the Malayalam filmmakers for winning the National Awards.