Questions Over Jury Recommendations: Govt to review Nat’l Film Awards 2023
Entertainment Desk :
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is considering a review of the gazette announcing the National Film Awards 2023 after allegations surfaced that the jury’s recommendations were not fully reflected in the final list.
Ministry sources said officials have already begun contacting members of the jury board, and a formal review process may begin soon.
The move comes after questions were raised about several categories, including the lifetime achievement award and best screenplay.
One key issue concerns the lifetime achievement category.
The gazette lists two recipients-acclaimed filmmaker Tareque Masud, who died on August 13, 2011, and cinematographer and director Abdul Latif Bachchu, who died on January 4, 2026.
However, clause 1(b) of the National Film Awards guidelines states that the lifetime achievement honour is to be considered for living individuals.
The inclusion of two deceased figures has therefore raised questions about whether the rules were followed.
Controversy also emerged over the film ‘Roktojoba’, after allegations that
a person was awarded best screenplay despite not writing the script.
Sources involved with the awards process said the jury board had originally recommended veteran actress Shabnam and filmmaker Ilias Javed for the lifetime achievement award.
Maksud Jamil Mintu, a member of the National Film Awards jury committee, said that the judges had reached a consensus on the results during deliberations.
Singer and jury member Nazmun Munira Nancy also said some recommendations were overlooked.
She said, “After the gazette was published, we noticed that our opinions were ignored in several cases.
The government has a responsibility to keep the National Film Awards transparent and free from controversy. If the review requires the jury to reconvene, I am willing to take part.”
Multiple sources connected to the awards process said the jury normally recommends two candidates in each category.
The person receiving the highest score is listed as the primary nominee, while the second-highest scorer is proposed as an alternative.
In most cases, the highest-scoring candidate is declared the winner.
Occasionally, the ministry and jury may jointly decide to award both the primary and alternative nominees.
However, judges do not usually agree to exclude the top-ranked candidate when the final gazette is issued.
Sources say the current controversy stems from concerns that this procedure may not have been followed.
Officials at the ministry said the review is intended to avoid further dispute and ensure that the final list accurately reflects the jury’s scoring.
The lifetime achievement category and several other awards are expected to be examined.
Following the allegations of rule violations and the possible disregard of jury recommendations, the Ministry is now moving toward a reassessment of the awards.
Officials involved say they hope the review will result in a final list that is transparent and free from controversy.
